WHO is Ganesh Mahipaul bluffing with this watered-down explanation that he gave to the media at Friday’s People National Congress’ press conference when he was asked a question pertaining to recent defections from the party?
Is Mahipaul in his right senses or still suffering from the aftermath of the 2025 electoral defeat, which relegated the PNC/APNU into benchwarmers in the back seat of the opposition?
Is he ‘mad’ or blinded by ego? Did he answer the question like that because he knows that without Aubrey Norton, he does not have a future in politics with the PNC/APNU? Or he was giving the public a class in political strategy and denial?
Whatever his reasons might be for giving his dumb and one-sided view of political history, it did not serve to quell the public’s concern about the desperate state of the PNC/APNU opposition, which is now undoubtedly continuing to suffer defeat after defeat and is reeling from the heavy weight of political defections, crossovers, and internal rifts.
So, Mahipaul said at the press conference that the defections were not hampering the party’s work and they were busy “doing several things.”
He added that these were not “tried and tested” members and that the PNC is currently in a recruitment mode. According to him, the party was “doing well.” He even said that “maybe the issue is with them, not us” after downplaying the significance of the defections at this time in the PNC/APNU’s history.
Let me say this. Mahipaul should not have answered the question even though it was directed and intended for him. He should have declined the question because the question needed a political and proper response from the leader, Norton, or the party general secretary.
It was too important. No junior politician, who is begging for the public’s and PNC’s approval, like Mahipaul should ever feel comfortable taking on that responsibility unless one’s intention is to open a can of worms and suspicion.
The fact that Mahipaul said these defections were not hampering the party’s work is telling and concerning to party members and the public alike. It appears defensive and disparaging, if not disrespectful. How dare he say that they are not “tried and tested”?
The departure of Rickly Ramsaroop, Shurwayne Holder and Dinesh Jaiprashad has had an impact on the PNC’s leadership, members and people who they knew, however small.
It caused the public to see the illusion of PNC/APNU unity falling apart. Mahipaul would be a fool to not admit this or seek to express his party’s concern over their decision to be aligned with the PPP after their many public utterances, even if he saw it coming.
A political party must always appear to be empathic and grateful to its former members even if their departure was not in the right manner or quietly. It should never live in denial that introspection should not be done, or else they risk others following suit if they too have the same problems.
Therefore Mahipaul should never have asked whether the problem was with them. He does not know of the trials, conversations, and experiences that regional councillors Ravoldo Birbal, Sheik Yaseen, Prince Holder and Gangadai Lloyd faced with racism, discrimination, and outright bullying in the PNC/APNU.
He cannot speak to the experiences and fallout that pushed Holder, Ramsaroop, and Jaiprashad over the limit. He cannot know the hearts of these men or comment on what caused their choices.
He, of all people, cannot say what led any former APNU or PNC parliamentarian or regional official because none of them trust him. He talks too much. Amanza Walton, James Bond, Holder, Tabita Sarabo-Halley, Natasha Singh-Lewis and Dawn Hastings-Williams know not to trust the rat-like politician.
They have no confidence in him and believe he is a political rat just eating away at Norton’s cheese. Mahipaul is loyal to no politician, only to himself.
If he were a true PNC/APNU history student, he would call a spade a spade. He would know that one or two things can be true at the same time with respect to PNC/APNU politics.
One is the party is in bad shape following its worst and historic defeat. And the party is not finding its footing yet because there are still rifts, factions, infighting, squabbles, and duels. Mahipaul should accept that things are not right with his party and stop trying to hide behind the veil of unity. Every defection is making it clear as day to the public. And PR, for that matter, was never his forte.
The underlying factor is Norton. Mahipaul knows the truth and still tries to ramrod other reasons down the public’s throat. He knows where the problem lies and does not want to admit it. It lies with Norton. He is killing the PNC and has his feet firmly on its neck with no indication of release.
The PNC leadership and membership did not want Norton after the first term. He, allegedly, rigged the congress and installed those that would support his brand of politics. Now, Norton forced himself onto the PNC/APNU movement as the presidential candidate and lost the elections. Instead of crawling into his hole, Norton emerged with a new scheme to retain power and control.
Mahipaul must accept this notion. He must accept this is why the PNC is losing so “bigly”. He must accept the principle that his comrade leader’s time is up and that one must know when to go. He is part of the problem and not the solution.
If one was Mahipaul, one would jump into the gutter and suck air through a straw because one would be embarrassed to say out loud the PNC is winning the political fight when the whole world could see it is too ashamed to close its eyes.
Let me be pellucid. The exodus of members will continue and grow for as long as Norton and spineless politicians like Mahipaul continue to take up space and air in Congress Place.
They are soft and not up-to-date with the realities that politics is changing, dynamic and very surprising. They should do the honourable thing and resign, paving the way for bright, new, and innovative persons, which, incidentally, PNC still has, to take over the struggle.
The truth is, the denial bubble is busting. The top brass are ignoring glaring, on-the-ground reality checks, creating a massive disconnect with voters.
The once-great PNC/APNU party is falling apart at the seams. The factional infighting has transitioned from whispers to open warfare, weakening their position faster than projected. The power vacuum is creating chaotic, contradictory messaging that leaves supporters confused.
It is unfortunate that this internal meltdown continues, where key figures flee, voting blocs fracture, and the façade of unity collapses. PNC/APNU is a party in paradox, as its public defiance masks a desperate behind-the-scenes struggle for survival.