Dear Editor,
Some months ago a big storm developed within the AFC on the issue of leadership. A number of problems surfaced including, but not restricted to the following: (1) seeming unwillingness by top people in the party to honour the principle of leadership rotation; (2) clarity about the relationship between the party leader and its presidential candidate; (3) division within the party regarding its relationship with the PNC and the almost defunct WPA.
Back then, the AFC rushed out a couple of long-winded press statements. One of those documents promised that the AFC would make some announcements about its leadership issues in October.
Well, October is around the corner and we are all waiting to see what the AFC will do. Three key questions must be addressed forthwith. Firstly, will Mr Ramjattan be confirmed as the presidential candidate? If yes, how would Mr Trotman react to that decision? Secondly, shouldn’t Sheila Holder become the running mate? The AFC talks a lot about women but to date has not done much at the substantive level. One woman by the name of G Singh who was in the AFC left on account of poor treatment. The AFC has only one noted female member. Thirdly, if Mr Ramjattan becomes the presidential candidate, will the AFC enter some relationship with the PNCR. If yes, where would that leave Mr Trotman?
The AFC should avoid the problems within the PNCR and the WPA regarding leadership. The PNCR almost broke during its last internal election. There were many accusations of fraud and other irregularities. The WPA has a different problem. It has no leader.
Yours faithfully,
Randy Persaud
