Dear Editor,
There have been ongoing widespread laments about the presence of a viable local political opposition. Though disturbing to agree with such assessments, there is a still bigger issue for Guyanese to confront. A question is best: come next year, is this country going to have any political opposition at all? A potent group that represents something? There are citizens thirsting for such meaningful representation, but what is present today seems to be disintegrating from the inside. Whenever it appears to be getting its act together, preparing a program of action, it falls apart. It is mesmerizing to observe, more troubling to absorb.
For the millionth time, Guyanese need a credible opposition. If not, the democracy that supposedly creeps along by yanks and yowls gets crushed. There is the media. Public institutions should be bulwarks of protection, significant presences, but are more of perversities. Political leadership perversities and tyrannies, that is. Now, the judiciary is under fire. And I passed something on the way (not followed) involving NGOs. A few newspapers, a couple of writers, and the occasional fence sitter having a say, are not going to impact significantly the bigger picture. They should not be seen, do not have the muscle, nor the following, of a political opposition of substance. There is no substitute for a formidable political opposition. Though a broad-based, committed civil society presence could be, it still is far from what a sturdy opposition could and must exemplify.
Frankly, whenever trusting Guyanese believe they have an opposition, they still questioning themselves about what it is they truly have. The PNC is still trapped in 2020. Plus, there is some disenchantment with the group, growing disillusionment with its essence. The core is still heavily committed, for its members don’t have much choice; they look abroad, and they are forced to run for cover. The reception that is due to all citizens is strained, chilly, hostile, given the stain of their affiliation. Hence, it is the devil that they know; the Hobson’s choice they face. Clearly, disenchantment and disillusion are undesired dunce caps. Worse, there is dissension in the umbrella group about who could do what, and where the source of power really is. In other words, at the worst time possible, there is a public spat that threatens to rent asunder a fragile coalition that is shakier by the day. This is not good for Guyanese.
There is a distinctive one-party, one-man, dictatorship that is publicly undeclared. Why contribute to making it official? It could be argued, however, that whether the opposition, as currently constituted, holds together, or goes in different directions, it really doesn’t matter, so weak and uninspiring it has been. Against this bleak backdrop – or because of it – there has been talk about, watching for, the arrival of new political groups, genuine leadership challengers announcing their presences. My vote remains in my socks. But as the PPP is aware, and other Guyanese, all it takes is two to three seats, and a showstopper and difference maker could be born. But only if he or she holds fast to principles, as publicly sworn.
I do not think that the PPP is in danger of a winner riding knocking it out. But its leadership is petrified of what a three-seat lawmaker cum agitator aka slow walker and troublemaker could signify for its runaway train. The PPP leadership is not losing sleep over a potential usurper, but the thought is causing hair and weight loss. If the specter of three seats could be responsible for so much animosity from the ruling party’s baleful leadership, it follows that there is much that they could lose, including possibly their freedom and accumulations. Speaking for myself, the participation of new faces in the local political milieu next year is not comforting. There is that small matter about credibility, what their real objectives are (more later).
Naturally, the first word will be the people’s interests. Whoever falls for that line should be sent on a suicide mission. So, with the current biggest opposition trying to find itself, where does that leave Guyanese? There are three choices. Stick to what is known and supported, come what may. Or catch the next flight. Or find some way to make themselves smell like roses to the people who say that they are the best. There is still a fourth option: be like me and a few others, and spit in the faces of the political fiends and frauds that speak about democracy, free and fair elections, and constitutional rights.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall
