Is Jagdeo panicking?

Jul 04, 2024 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

---

Kaieteur News – In the United States, the spotlight is on President Joe Biden’s fitness for office, both physically and cognitively. Americans, particularly Democrats, are scrutinizing Biden’s performance during the first Presidential Debate.

Some democrats and financiers of the Democratic Party are even calling for him to step down from the Presidential race. This intense focus on leadership fitness is a crucial aspect of democratic vigilance.

However, a similar level of scrutiny seems absent in Guyana concerning Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s behavior, particularly during his weekly press conferences, which have become platforms for relentless attacks on the opposition and sections of the media.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s weekly press conferences have become a concerning spectacle.  His persistent attacks on the opposition and media critics reflect poorly on the government’s proclaimed commitment to democratic norms.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s weekly press conferences have become a peculiar fixture in Guyanese politics. These events, ostensibly meant to inform the public about governmental affairs, have morphed into lengthy sessions where Jagdeo fixates on the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the Alliance For Change (AFC).

Yesterday’s opening statement lasted close to an hour. It was mainly spent dissecting the just-concluded congresses of the PNCR and the AFC. Jagdeo’s obsession with the opposition raises several questions about his priorities and the true purpose of these press conferences. It appears as if he is still behaving as if he is on the Opposition benches rather than being in government. His style is combative and divisive and can only antagonize the supporters of the opposition parties.

Jagdeo’s weekly rants serve as platforms for him to lambast the opposition, question their credibility and leadership. This behavior is unproductive. A press conference, by definition, should be a formal event where the government addresses pressing matters of public interest, not a weekly stage for attacks on the opposition.

The Vice President’s obsession with the PNCR and AFC is puzzling. If, as he claims, the leadership of these parties lacks credibility and poses no real threat to the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC), why does he spend so much time and energy addressing them? This fixation suggests a deeper concern than is being admitted to. It suggests that despite their public assertions to the contrary, the, the PPPC feels genuinely threatened by the opposition.

Moreover, Jagdeo’s frequent tirades against the media, particularly Kaieteur News and Stabroek News, are troubling. A free press is vital for a healthy democracy. His antagonistic stance towards the media is not a sign of a healthy democracy at work, one where robust criticism is supposed to be welcomed.

The leadership of the PPPC and the government must take a hard look at Jagdeo’s behavior. His statements and body language during these press conferences need close scrutiny. Is his obsession with the opposition and critics a sign of deeper insecurities within the government? Is his approach to handling dissent reflective of something more serious? A government confident in its legitimacy and public support should not feel threatened by opposition parties or critical media outlets. Instead, it should welcome healthy debate and constructive criticism, which are essential for the growth and development of any democratic society. By contrast, Jagdeo’s approach is reminiscent of authoritarian tactics, where the opposition is demonized.

The present situation calls for responsible leadership within the PPPC and the government. Senior officials must recognize the potential damage Jagdeo’s behavior can inflict on the party’s image and the country’s political climate. They need to intervene and ensure that press conferences return to their intended purpose: informing the public about government actions and policies.

The PPPC must also introspect and evaluate its strategies. Are they fostering a political culture that encourages dialogue and democratic engagement, or are they creating an environment of fear and division? Leaders should remember that their actions set the tone for the entire country. They have a responsibility to promote respect for differing opinions, and adherence to democratic principles.

This week journalists were subjected to the absurd spectacle of a proposed of a formal inquiry into an alleged conflict of interest between the Leader of the AFC and Exxon Mobil. Such an inquiry would not only be an insult to the intelligence of the nation but also a waste of time and resources. The very notion of launching a formal investigation into what is fundamentally a matter of ethical judgment rather than criminal wrongdoing is ludicrous. It reflects a troubling diversion from pressing national issues. This farcical proposition distracts from more important matters but also suggests panic on the part of Jagdeo.

It is time for the PPPC and government leadership to address this issue. They need to sit down and have a serious chat with the Vice President as the Democratic Party leaders are doing with Biden.

---

• democratic, Peeping Tom, Politics, President Joe Biden, Presidential Debate

---