The Central Committee of the People’s Progressive Party met on Saturday, January 14, 2012 during which Party examined developments at the local and international levels. This was the first such meeting following the 2011 Regional and General Elections.
At the international level, the Party viewed with concern the tense situation in the Middle East in particular events relating to Iran and
Syria and re-affirmed its principled stance for a climate of global peace and security. The Party also discussed the severe economic and financial crisis in a
number of European countries and its implications on the working people who are now forced to contend with falling incomes levels, unemployment and cuts in social spending.
At the same time, the income gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider thus creating greater burden for the vulnerable sections
of our society. At the national level, the Party assessed the current situation which resulted from the November 28, 2011 General and Regional Elections and
noted with deep concern the machinations and intrigues of APNU and AFC to derail the democratic processes given their post elections antics
on and off the streets. Despite claims of voting irregularity the APNU is still to produce any credible evidence to substantiate its
allegations of electoral malpractice.The Party also noted with disgust the harassment and acts of intimidation against supporters and prominent individuals and groups who have expressed their democratic and constitutional right to support the PPP/C. The PPP/C will monitor this campaign of bullyism and intimidation against sections of the society to ensure that our country does not slide into an atmosphere of national discord and deep division. While recognizing that the PPP/C secured the largest amount of votes
and seats in the National Assembly, much discussion by the Central Committee focused on the reasons for the PPP not being able to win a majority over the combined Opposition in Parliament as in previous elections. There was a review of the underlying factors.
A menu of action was agreed to address these factors. Immediate implementation of this plan of action was recognized. Corrective
action has been undertaken.Further, the Central Committee took the opportunity to congratulate its General Secretary Donald Ramotar on his election to the highest
political office in the land and pledged its full and unwavering support to him in the execution of his elected mandate. The Central
Committee also thanked the former President for his excellent performance in placing the country on a path of sustainable development and raising the international profile of the country.
A major highlight of the meeting was a presentation by President Donald Ramotar and former President Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo on the challenges ahead and the way forward. Both leaders congratulated Party members and supporters for having attained yet another victory at the November 28 elections and expressed optimism that the Party and Government will continue to accelerate the pace of national development in the interest of Guyanese regardless of race or political affiliation.
The Central Committee observed that in a wave of triumphalism, the Opposition APNU, with the collusion of its junior cohort, the AFC, unashamedly deployed its majoritarian will in Parliament recently that it has so harshly criticized in the past. In doing so it has violated the most hallowed of parliamentary conventions by elevating former PNC strongman, Raphael Trotman, to the Speaker’s Chair and PNC firebrand, Debbie Backer, as Deputy Speaker.
It is not clear when Speaker Trotman had a change of heart in terms of his interest in the post of Speaker. His name was floated earlier, it
was withdrawn and emerged again within the past few days.Curiously, he said in his remarks that he had been anticipating the moment of his election for weeks. Was dice being played with Moses Nagamootoo’s name all this time, unknown to him?
Even in the worst days of Burnhamist authoritarianism, when armed agents of the State were forced to transport ballot boxes at election
time, an activity publicly supported many times by Chairman of APNU, David Granger, the then Government at least maintained the façade of tradition by allowing the Opposition PPP to have the post of Deputy Speaker even though the Deputy Speaker was never allowed to preside
during those years.Also the Opposition threw tradition out of the windows of Parliament Building and took control of both the positions of Speaker and Deputy
Speaker. Its message to the Government is our way or no way.Mr. Granger’s declared expectation in his brief remarks that the Parliament will “promote democracy” and “prevent abuse” fell flat against the flagrant lack of respect for parliamentary democracy and parliamentary norms on the first day of Parliament.
The AFC gleefully facilitated APNU in its majoritarian drive by unceremoniously dumping Moses Nagamootoo in favour of former member of the Central Executive of the PNC, Trotman. Ramjattan had claimed that Nagamootoo was responsible for what he described as the favorable election result for APNU and the AFC and of influencing Berbice voters in favour of the AFC. He praised Nagamootoo in his brief remarks in Parliament but extended no sympathy to him, or justification to the AFC’s Berbice supporters, who Nagamootoo allegedly took to the AFC , for promising him a Vice Presidency if it won the elections and then the Speakership after the elections and then breaking both of those promises. Mr. Nagamootoo got nothing for his pains except a hard, back bench seat.
The PPP will do all that is within its power to protect the parliamentary gains of the people and will work with all forces for
the development of Guyana. In light of the new political dispensation, the Party expressed its willingness to work with all stakeholders including the political opposition, the social and religious organizations, trade unions and all NGO’s in the furtherance of the development agenda of the country.
