With early general elections a distinct possibility, sources close to the opposition coalition, A Partner-ship for National Unity (APNU) have revealed that the grouping would have to seek a new Prime Minis-terial candidate as the current candidate Dr Rupert Roopnaraine won’t reprise the role.
Roopnaraine, a co-leader of the Working People’s Alliance will not be running on APNU’s electoral ticket should the AFC’s no-confidence motion pass once Parliament reconvenes next month and elections are called, sources told Stabroek News.
When contacted, Roopnaraine remained mum on the issue only stating that such decisions would need to be discussed at the party level. He stated that as co-leader of the WPA, he would need to discuss with the party, its future and how to move forward with the new generation of leadership. He told Stabroek News that he was looking to further engage APNU as a stand-alone party while maintaining the coalition aspect.
Roopnaraine revealed that APNU has collectively decided that it needs to create an administrative division to allow for more cohesion within the coalition if it wishes to further advance its interest especially leading up to a possible general election. He acknowledged that looking ahead politically, new blood is needed that will draw on the Guyanese masses that are currently apathetic.
With Roopnaraine likely to be out of the running, it remains to be seen what APNU will do to shake up its leadership. It is likely that the coalition’s leader David Granger will remain as the Presidential candidate. The ruling PPP is also likely to retain President Donald Ramotar as Presidential candidate while AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan has endorsed Moses Nagamootoo as the party’s presidential candidate with Nigel Hughes as his running mate though the party members will have their say during the AFC’s elections next month.
APNU has come under scrutiny in recent months particularly after its main constituent, the PNCR was the subject of heavy criticism as a result of actions within the party. Many onlookers have pointed out that APNU has struggled to formulate its own identity away from the PNCR and that may stem from the fact that as a coalition, APNU is only now finding its footing with the creation of administrative positions to set a foundation and guide the coalition in a cohesive manner.
Analysts have noted that for APNU to make an impact in any upcoming election, the controversy surrounding the events at the PNCR’s 18th Biennial Congress held at Congress Place, Sophia where a gun was discharged cannot be ignored. The lack of transparency following the incident did little to ease the public’s perception of the internal workings of the PNCR.
Furthermore, members of Region 10 protested the opening of congress with many contesting the voting process stemming from the issues that were experienced earlier where many members did not receive their membership cards until Congress commenced. The quiet dissent that had been growing within the party came to a head during the Congress with a clear division between Region 10 members who felt disenfranchised by the current executive.
In addition, Lindeners protested the treatment of prominent Linden PNCR member Vanessa Kissoon following an altercation with General Secretary of the PNCR, Oscar Clarke. Kissoon was suspended but the issue remains open.
For APNU to make an impact, the coalition will need to distance itself from the shadow of the PNCR and it is yet to be seen if the coalition is prepared to do so, analysts say.
Sources have stated that within APNU, party members have tried to address the PNCR dominance but it has fallen on deaf ears.
