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APNU-AFC needs Indians but not from the PPP’s leadership
Nov 19, 2015 Letters
Dear Editor,
There is much rumour in the Guyanese newspapers that certain former PPP Executives, including at least one Cabinet Minister and senior public servants, are being courted by the APNU-AFC. If true, and the outcome will be window dressing, that is, a mirror reflection of former PM Sam Hinds, Dr. Westford, Dr. Jeffrey and Mr. Lumumba and others in the PPP, then it should be discouraged. The APNU-AFC does need political accommodation with the PPP. However, an approach that recruits discarded former PPPites or opportunists is a bad idea. The APNU-AFC is too intelligent to copy a failed methodology used by the PPP. First, any person from the PPP administrations must bring substantial political capital, specifically a constituency, with sufficient votes to account for at least one seat. He/she must be able to demonstrate from reputation, authority and influence that he/she can deliver. Anything less is just giving someone a job but who may be no more than a political liability, rather than an asset. The APNU-AFC just cannot afford to risk giving something for nothing, and worse, left holding a liability, especially if the individual was discarded by the PPP.
Second, the PPP was in many respects a failed regime. Any member of that party’s past administrations who can be considered should be a substantive and outstanding achiever. For example, how can a former PPP Minister of Agriculture who presided over the fall of Guysuco during the PPP’s regime, one of the most important economic entities in the economy, be considered. For what purpose? Or, how could a person who participated in a well- publicised and unjust persecution of officers from the New Building Society be considered. Third, in addition to the first two therefore, the recruited should come with a clean slate, untainted by corruption or other political shenanigans. In other words, the APNU-AFC needs the equivalent of a Sonny Ramphal- enormous oratory, bright, significant world views and energetic. One can win with that kind of quality.
APNU-AFC needs politically able, smart and credible people. The PPP is not the place to look for these qualities. The APNU-AFC can earn the votes it needs by demonstrating to the electorate that it possesses these qualities within its ranks. It may never win over a majority of the PPP’s supporters, but who knows these things; miracles can happen. However, a good decent government that is effective, that performs credibly and delivers goods and services promised and needed by the population, will win enough support to be elected repeatedly. It does not need PPP failures or its rejects.
To be sure APNU-AFC needs more Indo-Guyanese in its hierarchy and leadership ranks. However, recruiting more Indo-Guyanese is not the same as recruiting from within the hierarchy of the PPP. It is an injustice to Indo-Guyanese to suggest that they equal the PPP. APNU-AFC should actively recruit Indo-Guyanese as freshmen/women. They will rise to the challenge.
APNU-AFC must work to earn the trust and support of Indo-Guyanese, and if the rumors are true the silly shortcut of poaching a few PPP insiders may result in a net loss, since some of the APNU-AFC supporters may very well walk away in frustration. Sometimes it is the obvious things that work, rather than silly political maneuvering. The question for APNU-AFC supporters is; on what grounds should it recruit PPP personalities, if at all, as distinct from recruiting more Indo-Guyanese, and reaching broad political accommodation with the PPP?.
Ivor Carryl
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