Amid criticisms by the government of opposition control over some of the key positions in the National Assembly, Opposition Leader Brigadier (retired) David Granger said the parliamentary opposition political parties were in no way abusing their combined majority in the House.
Opposition Leader Brigadier (retired) David Granger
Granger in an interview with Guyana Times International last Sunday, said that both the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have been demonstrating independence and responsibility in the discharge of their parliamentary duties.
His comments came on the heels of concerns raised by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) over what appears to be a collusion of the two parties to “take control” of the National Assembly. The party on February 11, said that the parliamentary opposition has already begun showing worrying signs of disrespect for norms, conventions and rules which govern the affairs of the 65-seat Parliament.
“We have all, as opposition representatives, been behaving in a professional, independent and responsible manner,” Granger argued. He said the actions and positions taken up by the APNU and the AFC are all in line with their parties’ policies and views of how Parliament should function given the dispensation and mandate given to them by the electorate at the November 28 elections.
Asked whether, the postures taken by the APNU and the AFC with respect to the appointment of the Speaker of the National Assembly and the composition of the Committee of Selection would affect the ongoing tripartite dialogue with the government, Granger responded in the negative.
He said that the “tripartite arrangements and dialogue were not in jeopardy,” explaining that the parliamentary behaviour of and decisions made by the APNU and the AFC are all intended to avoid what he referred to as “gridlock or collision” from happening.
The APNU co-chairman believes that the ongoing talks with the PPP/ C, AFC, and APNU have been respectful and cordial in nature, adding that various groups and representatives have been meeting almost weekly with the aim of stating their positions on various issues of concern, thereby avoiding any unnecessary conflict. He saw no link between the intra-party dialogues and the parliamentary agenda which the AFC and the APNU would have to consider and scrutinise as parliamentary bodies.
In fact, Granger does not believe the APNU and the AFC were undermining the process of building trust and cooperation by their recent actions in the Parliament.
Granger was convinced that the APNU and the AFC did not feel that government should take “concern” with the movements in Parliament because they are only following the mandate given to them by majority of the citizens that exercised their franchise.
Asked if he would support the call made by President Donald Ramotar during his inaugural speech to the parliamentarians on February 10 for consensus and compromise, Granger said “yes”, while noting that in order for Parliament to function effectively, more cohesion, support and cooperation must take place.
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