THE main opposition party, the We Invest in Nationhood Party (WIN) is a radical, leftist and a cunning cult.
WIN, after all, is not just a political rival to the governing PPP, PNC, APNU, AFC, and other opposition parties but should be viewed as a dangerous and manipulative organisation in and out of the National Assembly.
It would seem to appear as a ‘Facebook militant group’ who wins over opposition supporters by enticing them with money, material tourniquets, and promises of ‘a better or greener’ life.
The whole superstructure of WIN is dedicated to fooling Guyanese that it is ‘truly’ concerned about helping the poor and unfortunate in society while fighting for rights and uniting the races, resulting in the unseating of the PPP from office. It has no order, structure or discipline. It has no formula and is only concerned about highlighting anything that could paint the PPP in a bad light and show up the Mohameds.
I have no respect for WIN nor the Mohameds. They have not earned my respect either through their actions, political work, or strategy. I think they are only commanding the main opposition slot because the people of Guyana rejected the politics of Aubrey Norton and sought to punish the PNC.
I have no difficulty in putting forward the prediction that the PNC will take back its place in Guyanese politics come 2030 and WIN will be banished to the backbench of Guyanese politics. One thing is certain: the PNC has history on its side, and no Facebook party will ever beat it for long.
I will always be suspicious of them, especially Hana and Azruddin Mohamed. I hold no brief for Nazar, but I do not envy him. He must walk the path he chooses, whatever that might be.
WIN’s leader, Azruddin Mohamed, is a fugitive offender who is accused of wire and mail fraud, gold smuggling, money laundering, tax evasion and other serious crimes. He thinks that by clinging to political persecution, victimisation, and politics will save his skin from facing the serious charges in Trump’s US.
He can spend every penny of Mohamed’s ill-gotten wealth and keep paying the lawyers to hold up or delay the inevitable. One thing is for sure and two things are for certain: he will face the long arm of US Justice because the show is not over until the fat lady sings. And the fat lady is humming, at the moment.
That aside, the PPP faces a myriad of victories and complex battles at home and abroad.
At home, apart from manoeuvring the cult-like Mohameds, the PPP must work harder to silence the people’s fear about the costs of living and standards of living. It must do more to respond in a policy-driven approach to their cries. The government is doing an excellent job with housing, healthcare, security, foreign trade, socioeconomic matters and local government, so it must do an assessment of what is happening in the other areas that people complain constantly about in their daily lives.
The PPP/C has risen to the public expectation of modernising the economy in every aspect of life, but they must know that once they meet the public’s expectation, the public wants them to do more.
So, I will be keeping an eagle eye on the government and the party. The other promises, which are outlined in the party’s manifesto, slated for implementation this year, must be delivered.
Regionally, the PPP/C government must continue to play its role in CARICOM and regional integration. The party must make a decision on what that role will be like in the years ahead, given the poor pass rate on the CSME and other regional issues over the past 40 years. Then, it has to continue its fundamental principle on the questions of Haiti, Cuba and Venezuela, and their people. The party and government must see them as allies and not friends. They must maintain their policy of not choosing a side only if it is in the interest of Guyana.
Internationally, the wars in the US, the Middle East and Europe must concern the PPP. PPP/C administration is doing the best job of only taking the side of peace, diplomacy and discussion.
These are the germane issues that party leaders Bharrat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali, who is at the helm of politics, will address when thousands gather at Babu Jaan to pay homage to their founding leader of the PPP and former president of Guyana, the late Dr Cheddi Jagan. The event was scheduled to be today but was postponed due to the inclement weather.
The celebration is set to mark his 103rd birth anniversary and 27th death anniversary with a plethora of wreaths, songs and tributes to his legacy of restoring democracy, economic rebuilding, social development and democratic consolidation in Guyana, the headliners are expected to deliver a firebrand of political language that will speak to each issue here and more.
I am expecting these two giants to school the opposition, which they, in my opinion, have been too soft on in the last six months. The big question is, will they whip the WIN party, PNC and what left of defiant civil society? Will they reset the political narrative or shift the political story back to development and away from the Facebook party and its leader? Will they talk things like they see it – frankly, or will they cower instead?
Jagan once said, “We must all remember the lessons of the past as a guide for the management of the present and the planning for the future.” Will Jagdeo and President Ali deliver a performance to remember?
Cheddi Jagan would have done just that and given the opposition something to cry weeks about and much more than ‘extradition’ headache, fever and a concussion.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.