Dear Editor,
Dr Irfaan Ali’s disclosure that he will consider former President Bharrat Jagdeo as a Vice-President is good news. The former President is quite experienced, well known internationally, and has “been there, done that”. He has proven to be a formidable Opposition Leader, has access to networks of support, and has the PNC on the ropes. How quickly Mr Jagdeo’s leadership as Opposition Leader saw the PPP trashing the PNC at Local Government Elections in 2016 and 2018, walloping them by margins of 25,000 and 45,000 votes, and defeating the PNC in 2018 through a motion of no-confidence. President Jagdeo was able to bring back supporters into the PPP’s fold, who had strayed in 2015 by voting for the PNC. Additionally, he is much younger than those on the PNC side and has a lot more to offer the country. Truth be told, the most progress in Guyana occurred under the Jagdeo era.
As the PNC clings to power illegally, President Jagdeo is fighting hard to keep our democracy, through international action and local protests against Granger and his henchmen wherever they go. Backed by Attorney General Anil Nandlall and other good people such as Mr Christopher Ram, the PPP has stood against the illegal PNC regime, fighting hard to restore constitutional rule, while the people in the new “paper” parties are nowhere to be seen.
Both Dr Ali and Jagdeo are smart enough to know that once they regain election to office, serious moves have to be made to govern with more consensual structures that involve the Opposition, local civic society, and going beyond rhetoric to tapping into the pool of talent in the Diaspora. They must be willing to seek talent beyond their own party.
Sincerely,
Jerry Singh