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Recent developments within the PNC/R threatening coalition
Dear Editor,
For more than a quarter century while the PNC was in office, the records will show that it always endeavoured to expand its appeal and its leadership was significantly multi-ethnic, broad-based, highly skilled and greatly respected, regionally and internationally, particularly in the legal and diplomatic arena. In its first, failed, attempt to regain office following its defeat in 1992, it was weakened by internal divisions; the breakaway GGG which had become the dominant party in the capital following Local Government Elections three years earlier, contested separately in the 1997 General and Regional Elections which fielded a total of eleven parties.
Since that time, and in the next five elections, the PNC competed as PNC/R (2001), PNC/R-1G (2006). APNU (2011) and APNU+AFC (2015 & 2020). Its long march towards growth, greater inclusivity, power sharing, consensus building, national reconciliation and relevance, and a return to office was finally achieved as a partnership and coalition (APNU+AFC) under the leadership of David Granger in 2015.
Four years earlier, the PNC/R had joined with several other parties and groups to create a movement, a Partnership for National Unity (APNU) dedicated to greater inclusivity, power sharing and national reconciliation. Its powerful message and coalition with the third largest political force in the country, the AFC, lifted it into government after 23 years of uninterrupted PPP/C rule.
However, recent developments within the PNC/R seem to threaten this vibrant, magnetic and ultimately successful movement and cause some observers to question the PNC/R’s commitment to the partnership, its values and vision. It has been reported that the PNC/R has failed to participate in strategy sessions and meetings in over two years and important decisions had to be made in its absence. Moreover, the Leader of the PNC/R also seems unable to grasp, or maybe does not care, that his position as Opposition Leader carry responsibilities to the APNU+AFC Members of Parliament and the APNU+AFC constituency for effective parliamentary representation particularly as we prepare for the upcoming General and Regional Elections.
The PNC/R’s own internal preparations are unconventional, perplexing and, quite possibly, self-defeating. Within recent months it has seemingly ostracized its most popular, qualified and experienced members and its elected leadership is the least experienced and has the lowest representation among Indian and indigenous Guyanese than at any point in its history. Moreover, it appears that the role of the party group as the bedrock and foundational instrument to mobilize and organize people in their communities seems less relevant than ever. Its role as an important source of information for the party and educator of its members, and the medium through which information is disseminated to members and supporters of the party and the general public has been seemingly superseded by more direct and personal interactions outside of the party structure. It has been reported that the party’s leader is convinced that he gets more political value, information and policy ideas from visits to “Bam Bam Alley”, Plaisance Line-Top and other popular hang-out venues.
Every political commentator I know is adamant on this point, that election campaigns are additive and expansive, and so it is difficult to view these developments as positive, or suggestive of a brilliant political strategy. I am more inclined to think that we will soon learn whether the PNC/R can overcome its quixotic, retrograde and self-destructive tendencies and return to the path of inclusion, partnership and alliance building or whether APNU can demonstrate that its commitment to national reconciliation, inclusive, respectful and fair government and a better life for all Guyanese is not dependent on any single party or individual. A leader should answer the question asked by Rabbi Hillel, “If I am only for myself, what am I?”
Sincerely,
Oscar Dolphin
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