Dear Editor,
I am amazed to hear so many persons are saying that the leadership of the AFC should be rotated. Ambition will be to the detriment of the AFC in a coalition that only won by 4000 votes. Do those who want to be leaders know what it takes to be a successful leader of a party or government? Ask Ramjattan and his A team. I have a lot of issues with Mr Ramjattan at present, but in my sober judgement, the purpose of the AFC as a third party, must take its course and support Khemraj Ramajttan as the AFC leader, David Patterson as the General Secretary and Raphael Trotman as the Chairman, etc, or else we would lose all the sacrifices that have been made. I do know that some of the negative performances of the coalition, are going to overshadow the AFC, but this is the reality.
Now in these challenging times, the present leader and executives/office holders of the AFC, have gained experience in management, both at the party and governmental level. Should we throw this away?
The trials and tribulations of party and government management, especially given the racially polarized PPP and PNC, are nerve-wracking. I have received emails from both Minister Ramjattan and Minister Patterson way after midnight.
This is a sacrifice of family life, etc, hence, their party must support them in all their endeavours. No party must attempt to reorganize during the time they are in government, especially as a minority partner. How can you change a horse half way down the race?
The party constitution and its intent, is very clear and democratic. The constitution did not say that the leaders must not be elected for another term or more, or they should not seek nomination, it did not say “shall” or “will”, but “ought to rotate”, meaning that the delegates will dictate their removal or retention (rotation) through democratic voting. The AFC has an electoral college system like the USA, so what is all this bachannal in the media?
I have great respect for Minister Trotman, especially as he is one of the founders of the AFC, however, his piece in yesterday’s papers, confused me. Does he want to be the leader? Why would Trotman support rotation, which is not consistent with the party constitution, especially during the time his party is in government? I hope my assumption is wrong.
Many persons are against Ramjattan and others in the leadership, because Ramjattan did not get them the jobs/opportunities they wanted as an AFC member, unlike the APNU part of the coalition. But Ramjattan demonstrated what he preached, that this is the people’s government and you must hold office based on your suitability and a competitive process.
There are several criteria required for leaders; for example, financial support, the man, his image, his ideas, his experience, qualifications, etc. Ramjattan not only possesses these fine qualities, but he commanded the largest financial support for the AFC, both at home and abroad. Without finance, there is no party. In addition, Ramjattan as a leader, because he is an Indian, will take Indian votes from the PPP which is largely Indian, and is the majority party in the country.
After 1997, Ramjattan, a man of outstanding and unmatched integrity, fearlessly took up the fight against corruption against his own party, until he was kicked out.
The AFC delegates should not get misled by those who want to hold high office in the party, by getting the present leader and office-holders out.
They should not destroy what many of us put together, and they should not destroy management skills because these do not come easily. Ramjattan, Trotman, Patterson, Nigel Hughes and others have done a good job with their dedication, hard work, conviction, expertise, advice, etc, to get the corrupt PPP out, and they need support to deal with the allegedly corrupt APNU.
Yours faithfully,
Joe Persaud
(Canada))
