Presidential candidate of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Brigadier (ret’d) David Granger, says he is committed to his party’s stance on alliances with other opposition parties to contest the upcoming National and Regional elections. However, he said, those who elected him must decide whether he should cede his position for a consensus candidate in a joint opposition alliance.
“The members of the party who elected a presidential candidate didn’t nominate a prime ministerial candidate… so they want answers. If they went through the process to elect somebody as a presidential candidate, they would want to know what conditions would make their presidential candidate assume another position within the coalition,” Granger stated.
Whilst asserting that the party remains committed to the process of consensus politics, he believes that democracy should prevail within the party, giving members a chance to thoroughly understand and appreciate the concept of forming alliances. “We have not closed the door to anything … Democracy will be practised in relation to this process,” he remarked.
Granger stated that those who elected him as presidential candidate for the PNCR must understand the conditions that would arise as a result of coalition. He made specific reference to the possibility of his not being chosen presidential candidate for the slate fielded by the Joint Opposition Political Parties (JOPP). His comments came at the party’s weekly press conference last Friday.
Granger had been saying that the PNCR is the largest opposition party and, as such, it should hold the presidential candidacy.
“Nothing I have said contradicted the party’s position… What I did state, and what may have caused confusion, was (that) I would like to know what conditions… could exist that would make the PNCR surrender its claim to the presidency in the coalition… I just said I don’t know what conditions,” he told the media at the party’s media centre.
Whilst he believes that the party has good reason for possibly wanting to join forces with other opposition parties, he is convinced that the party’s electorate did not elect him as a prime ministerial candidate. The former army brigadier noted that while comments were made by some opposition parties, none of the members of the parties voicing their concerns spoke with him. “Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, who has commented on the matter, did not ask my views, did not seek a clarification.
“Mesrs Ramsaroop and Ramjattan have also had some things to say. I’ve never had any political discussions with these people about crossover votes and my commitment to the process,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, PNCR leader Robert Corbin noted that his party has been active in the meetings held by the Joint Opposition Political Parties. He said the PNCR was never informed of any misunderstandings or issues resulting from the coalition talks.
“We have a forum, the Joint Opposition Political Parties; we have been meeting regularly; we have agreed on statements of principles on certain terms of reference for task force for approaching elections together; I think all parties are fully aware of the views of the PNCR… I would not allow the media to derail my thinking… We are meeting again next week. If there are concerns, then I believe that that is the forum to raise (them).” Corbin added. Moreover, the PNCR leader emphasised that his party continues to be committed to working with the other parties so that the common goal of winning the elections could be achieved.
“We, as a party, have been engaged in discussions with all other parties. We have an open mind; we will look at all of the possibilities to have a strong, united group.” Corbin added, “We enter these conversations without any dogmatic positions… we stated that we will not go in there and demand that the presidential candidate must be a PNCR nominee…”
Last Tuesday, Granger told Guyana Times International that he would have to review the draft Statement of Principles to be signed by the parties and make his contributions thereto. “There’s a new kid on the block now,” he said, stating that as the presidential candidate of the largest opposition party, he should have a say in that arrangement.
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