By Michael Younge
Senior government minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy is warning Guyanese to take note of the slowly unfolding plot of the opposition political parties to make Guyana ungovernable under the ruling party, while simultaneously seeking to “grab power to become government through the backdoor”.
Dr Ramsammy was at the time speaking during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International Monday evening as he expressed grave concern over the continued spate of terror at Agricola, Greater Georgetown.
Ramsammy said that the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) were operating like “new wine in old bottles”, as the tricks that they were executing have become familiar to many Guyanese as the years progressed.
He said that they cannot escape blame for the spate of violent protests which were initially being hailed as “peaceful protests” that have left scores of Guyanese beaten and bruised, traumatised and fearful about their personal security and that of their families.
Dr Ramsammy explained that the opposition has failed to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, this resort to violence and “thuggery”, which is again leading to ethnic insecurity and divisiveness.
He accused the APNU/ AFC alliance of mobilising and preaching divisiveness in several communities across the East Bank corridor, as their crusade to instigate violence and confusion at Agricola continues.
Silence condemned
Ramsammy, who is Guyana’s agriculture minister, has also strongly condemned the opposition’s silence on the unwarranted and unprovoked attacks that are being inflicted on members of the Guyana Police Force. “Why is the APNU/ AFC grouping silent on this,” he asked, noting that their silence may be interpreted as being supportive of this form of barbaric reaction. “If this is not true, let them condemn the actions of blocking highways and robbing and beating innocent Guyanese. Let them condemn those who were actually doing this. Let them be unequivocal in their condemnation of the actions yesterday (Monday). Let them support the police to take all necessary legitimate actions to restore law and order when such so-called peaceful protests end up with violence and disruption of people’s lives,” the minister lamented.
Granger should resign
Dr Ramsammy sharply criticised APNU Leader David Granger for his inability to bring effective leadership to the parliamentary opposition, and accused him of condoning the plot to drive fear into the hearts of Guyanese by supporting various forms of illegalities that were taking place at Agricola.
He said that “Granger should resign”, for he has failed miserably to be the “shinning beacon of hope” to the people who elected him.
Ramsammy noted that the AFC, under the chairmanship of Nigel Hughes, was also displaying serious levels of radicalism and, therefore, Granger had to support their moves if he wanted to secure their alliance and loyalty in Parliament.
Dr Ramsammy felt that Granger was allowing the opposition to relive the “slow fire more fire” experiences, which significantly affected the country’s growth and development back in the 2001 period, when criminals launched an unprecedented war on law-abiding citizens and the state.
“You ask, why? It is because those acts fitted in the overall plan of the AFC, APNU and others of overthrowing the government. It did not work then. It will fail again now.”
Under siege
Apart from calling for Granger to resign because of his inability to demonstrate the type of political leadership he promised when he contested the last elections, Minister Ramsammy firmly believes that AFC members Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan, and APNU’s Vanessa Kissoon should also throw in the towel.
Comments are closed.