Dear Editor,
For a long time I have been writing to the letter columns of the newspapers on the third force and the alternative. Our desperate quest for national unity and the great desire for a country that is respectful to all citizens, regardless of race, has not materialised. It is not such an easy task. The attempts so far have not been structured, and have been more of an appeasement – a window dressing for the electorate.
Our leaders started out by believing in the unity of the working class, refusing to accept the notions of distrust among the races. The division between moderates and extremists in 1955, quickly polarized the Indians and Africans into the Burnhamite and Jaganite factions. Racism simmered under the regime of the People’s National Congress. And after 28 years of their rule, the country was thrust on the road of democracy.
The People’s Progressive Party immediately dominated all the other players who had campaigned. A National Patriotic Front never became the National Patriotic Front Government. A Civic component was added to the PPP. No match for the Stalinists, the Civic simply accepted the prestige and opportunities. And they were mum. The PNC followed with their version of the window dressing. There was the Reform. In the 22 years of a PPP/C regime, only the ‘C’ remained. Those Caring Guyanese became opportunists endorsing all the unlawful acts of the People’s Progressive Party. Then PNCR morphed into APNU.
All these alliances/coalitions have been alternatives with the same faces. The country needs an original movement – an association of new faces with a few familiar ones as well.
APNU has a very strong contingent of PNC supporters, and in the event of a victory that could pose a real dilemma for them in the selection of a government. It needs to be settled. For APNU to achieve victory, it needs to embark on some serious campaigning. They need to gather the confidence of the Amerindians and those Indians who recognize the need to move the country beyond racial politics. An original movement could bring in what Guyanese had hoped for, for decades: a truly democratically elected government, elected by a cross-section of all the races.
With the PNCR waiting for 22 years for the government benches, Mr. Granger has to be bold in his decisions to form a National Front Government. He must have the same fortitude as President Hoyte when he returned Guyana to free and fair elections over the objections of the membership of the People’s National Congress. It is a small sacrifice for honest and just governance. Much needed since our Independence. With good governance, there is enormous wealth to share among the citizens, and the standard of living will rise.
The mistakes that were made by Dr Jagan must not be repeated by Mr Granger. Dr Jagan should have rewarded those that stayed with the People’s Progressive Party until their victorious era with a few American dollars and foreign postings. He would have spared the country from the men and women he left behind.
‘Original’ is only one part of the strategy. There must be clear voices with words that seek out the rational minded. They are there. Just like the purpleheart and greenheart in our forests they are never to be found all in one place. But because of their value, such species are painstakingly searched for in the jungles of Guyana. So the sane men and women who look forward to better days can be found at a home and in the diaspora.
It is necessary for the leaders to be supported by an efficient campaign structure. Mr Felix and Dr Roopnaraine must seek out those individuals and bring them together to mount a serious campaign.
If the PPP does not call any elections they must witness their end. For too long they have trampled and transgressed good governance.
Yours faithfully,
Velutha Kuttapen
