Politics can resurrect the most amazing contradictions

Dear Editor,

I have been following the media exchanges between Sasenarine Singh and various subscribers, particularly his latest, “Jagan followed a deeply flawed ideology in the form of Marxism” in Kaieteur News of March 1, 2011, which makes interesting but contradictory reading, forcing me to ask the following questions: Is this the same Sasenarine Singh who grew up in the People’s Progressive Party? Is this the same young, bright economist, Sasenarine Singh, who was a sworn member of the People’s Progressive Party? Is this the same Sasenarine Singh who was a stalwart defender of the PPP? Is this the same Sasenarine Singh who once worked with the PPP/C government?

I am quite certain that those questions fit the person referred to. It is amazing how this thing called politics can resurrect the most amazing contradictions and gross opportunistic behaviours in those whose motives are indeed very suspect.

Sasenarine Singh quite correctly paid tribute to the late Father of the Nation’s impeccable character and renowned love for “his Guyanese people”; then went on to assail the great Cheddi as “ideologically flawed”, as well as accusing him of not taking action against those corrupt “Jagabats” in his party/ government. Well, since Dr Jagan was “financially incorruptible”, as attested by Singh, it was quite obvious that he would not have supported any such act within his government, although he did not act as promptly as expected by that writer. But had Dr Jagan not died, it was certain that he would have taken exemplary measures against those culpable.

Why only now is Singh making such disrespectful remarks? Is it because he has become a part of the Alliance For Change party? Does one have to stoop so low as to engage in slinging mud? Is it a requirement that, when one crosses the political floor, joining the opposition forces, one is forced to heap criticisms on one’s former party? This is definitely a case of one crawling a mile on one’s stomach so as to justify one’s credentials of loyalty. This can only be described as politics of the most sordid type.

Surely, while still a member of the PPP/C, Singh would have had enough time and opportunity to debate with Dr Jagan and party elders the very issues that he now mentions in his letter.

For all his patently futile attempts at impressing the readership, he cannot sully the name of President Cheddi Jagan, great political icon of Guyana and of the Caribbean.

Sincerely,

Peter Jones