Dear Editor,
Since the No Confidence Motion (NCM), there has been much ado about nothing as we parried over mathematics, rounding-up, division, and the citizenship of born Guyanese. At the end of the day, the APNU+AFC, PNCR-led political coalition of convenience will have to face the people at the ballot box, whether it is January 21st, February 21st or March 21st. In a democracy you cannot shy away from that divine responsibility of being accountable to the people and ask for their confidence at the polls.
Some misguided souls in this PNCR-led coalition of convenience have clearly rationalized for themselves that Article 106 (6) and (7) are irrelevant to the situation at this point in time and are prepared to destroy what little is left of the social cohesion and national unity that exists in the nation at this time. It is quite ironic, it is these very same people who sang for us “Let us co-operate for Guyana…” and it is these very same people who established a Ministry of Social Cohesion to help heal the nation.
But what is shocking is the antics from Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan and Mr. Moses Nagamootoo. Do these men have no modicum of shame left in their souls? How can you defend the indefensible against a clearly spelt out Constitutional clause? I am not seeing Raphael Trotman talking up on these issues. History will not be kind to those who choose deliberately to trample on the Constitution.
But let me address a more important deviation specifically of Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan. In 2005, some 13 years ago in a column in the Stabroek News captioned “An expelled AFC
member could keep his parliamentary seat”, Mr. Ramjattan rationalized why he should keep his seat won on a PPP ticket. In a clear answer to Ramon Gaskin who asked him the following question: “Will a member of the AFC who is expelled be able to keep his seat?” – SN, 10.11.05,
Mr Ramjattan’s answer was emphatic he said – “Absolutely! An expelled AFC member or one who dissociates will be able to keep his seat. No AFC leader or organ will be in any position to disqualify such a dissenting MP”.
He went on further to explain in cricketing parlance why he believed then he should, and I suppose Charandass in principle, (but not practical because of the recall legislation), should have kept his seat. This is what Mr Ramjattan said:
“You see Raymond, it is like having picked your 11 best players to play in a Test Match, expecting all to perform well. In mid-match one does not. He drops 5 simple catches and gets bowled for a duck first innings. The selectors cannot drop him and put in another player for the second innings; he has to play through the entire Test.”
So as you can clearly see the sheep’s mask is off and the wolves are at play today. Carry on Comrades, the youths of Guyana who constitute 65% of the population are all watching your antics and are solidifying their positions against the political hypocrites. Is this the reason why whatever is left of the Coalition of Convenience is afraid to face the people especially that 65% of the under 35 year olds?
Yours faithfully,
Sasenarine Singh, M.Sc. – Finance, ACCA
Maryland, USA
