Dear Editor,
In relation to a previous letter, one of the blogs asked me to evaluate President Ramotar’s eight months in office, and I would like to respond by stating that I attached myself to the PPP/Civic in the last elections with the proviso, made clear to the public and to Mr Ramotar, that I was following the principles of my father, President Cheddi, when he invented the term “critical support” during some of his years in opposition. I supported the presidential bid of Mr Ramotar expecting certain principles to be upheld, which he agreed to, even in public; however, I have reserved the right to criticize wrong policies which will lead to conflict, as in Linden.
Concerning local elections, which Mr Ramotar promised, there is no visible preparation and a year is almost up. The imposition of Interim Management Committees in different areas of our country is a clear violation of what was promised and will lead to conflict in the end; there is absolutely no compromise on my part on the issue of local elections. President Cheddi made sure that local elections were held on his watch, whereas Mr Jagdeo obviously had no interest in local elections and that is why the country will face serious political difficulties. Local elections are the bulwark of any democracy, and to delay those elections is a slap in the face of the Guyanese people – we deserve better. Mr Ramotar should proceed to disband the IMC’s and have local elections; let’s have our God-given right.
Concerning the status of the Civic component of the PPP/Civic and as a candidate who is not allowed into the PPP party (I have been refused PPP membership; I wonder why – maybe the PPP supporters should ask why –) I was made to understand by Mr Ramotar that President Cheddi’s wish of a strong Civic would be realized after the 2011 elections; instead there is virtually no Civic. I have constantly written Mr Ramotar concerning this issue and to this day, have not received a response from him – no meeting, no consultations, no contact with anyone from the virtual ‘Civic.’ Mr Sam Hinds was given the mandate by my father to develop and strengthen the Civic but to this day, he has done nothing to carry out that great man’s dream. I feel that since Mr Ralph Ramkarran has resigned from the PPP, then he should head the Civic, and I’m sure he would carry out President Cheddi’s wishes to strengthen and expand the Civic component, a real necessity since the PPP has been unable to win a clear victory in the last elections. Furthermore, Mr Ramkarran should be made Prime Minister to strengthen his position and carry out President Cheddi’s mandate.
As I said before, Mr Hinds’ handling of the Linden debacle and his mishandling of the mining sector warrants his removal from the PM’s office, not to mention his over-extended tenure as PM and his complete failure to help the people of Linden over the 20 years as PM. Mr Ramotar should do as President Cheddi wished and dreamt of.
Where are the radio licences for freedom of the press that President Ramotar promised? Where are the tax and customs reforms which Jagdeo failed to do and are long overdue? When will our only city be given a needed facelift and a cleaner environment? When will all these expensive ministries be cut down from Mr Jagdeo’s reckless 24 ministries? When will our villages be given the real support they need to survive and prosper? Are we really fighting corruption in a sustained way or are we protecting “comrades”? The supporters of the PPP need to ask these questions now while Mr Ramotar seems incapable of far-reaching reform in our dear country.
President Ramotar should remember the words of Mahatma Gandhi: “Blind is not he who has lost his eyes but who hides his shortcomings. He, who searches the branch and forgets the root, searches in vain. Man’s capacity for self-deception is amazing. When God is our Guide we need worry about nothing. He, who is shamed into acting correctly is not acting correctly at all. He, who wants to please all, will please none. A wrong ceases to be a wrong only when it is righted. To think good thoughts is one thing; to act upon them is another. The fear of the gun disappears when it has been fired.”
Yours faithfully,
Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr)
