In a transparent effort of the PNC-dominated APNU to maintain its claim as a broad based “coalition” subsequent to the withdrawal of two of its original members, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and the Justice For All Party (JFAP), Jaipaul Sharma and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, who were former Members of Parliament (MPs) for the JFAP and WPA, respectively, have now started political parties of their own and simultaneously joined APNU. Those applications, according to APNU in its statement, were approved. They now join other mini parties in APNU, such as the Guyana Action Party (GAP), the National Front Alliance (NFA) and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).
Former WPA MP-turned-party founder, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley
The announcement was made by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition. In the statement, it was noted that Jaipaul Sharma, a former Junior Finance Minister under the former Government, has formed a party called Equal Rights and Justice Party (ERJP).
Former JFAP MP Jaipaul Sharma
Meanwhile, Sarabo-Halley, who served as the Public Service Minister under the former APNU/AFC Government, has formed a party called the Guyana Nation Builders Movement (GNBM).
Both Sharma and Sarabo-Halley’s former parties had fled the APNU/AFC coalition after their loss at the 2020 polls. It was an acrimonious parting, as both JFAP and WPA had accused the coalition, dominated by the PNCR, of not consulting with them when making crucial decisions that affected their party.
JFAP
The JFAP was also the first and only party within the coalition to concede defeat after the March 2 General and Regional Elections 2020. It did so at a time when its coalition partners were steadfastly denying they had lost the elections, thus breaking party ranks.
WPA
The WPA claimed to also have its issues with the PNCR’s dominance in the coalition even though they staunchly supported the attempted rigging of the 2020 elections. They later complained about Granger selecting Sarabo-Halley, who was at the time WPA’s Chairperson, as an MP without consulting the smaller party.
Most observers claim that the two individuals have no support or following and would be another paper-organisation in APNU like Keith Scott’s National Front Alliance (NFA).
