APNU/AFC Regime: Same old PNC paramountcy in party

After the massive rigging of the 1973 elections, the PNC regime in 1974, announced the position of ‘Paramountcy of the Party’, which was contained in the Declaration of Sophia.

That policy meant that to obtain a job in the public service, one had to have a PNC card. Business persons had to also join the PNC in order to conduct transactions at government offices, including Customs and Excise, etc.

As the economic situation worsened, a PNC card became an ‘important’ document in order to procure food items.

The regime controlled the executive and by rigging the elections to take two-thirds of the seats in the National Assembly, they controlled the Parliament and made it into a rubber stamp.

They also controlled the Judiciary. Judges and Magistrates fell in line and took orders from the PNC.

Those that stood up to the PNC diktat were hounded out of the system.

To demonstrate their total control, the PNC had the party’s flag flying above the Guyana flag in the Court of Appeal compound.

Today, in somewhat changed conditions, we see the PNC-led APNU/AFC regime reinstating paramountcy.

The massive dismissal of persons from the public service immediately after assuming power in May 2015 is one such more. That action smacks clearly of racial and political discrimination.

The employment of persons by the regime followed the same pattern. Indo-Guyanese make up a tiny minority of persons employed. Clearly, PNC/APNU’s loyalty appears to be the main criteria for employment.

The regime is also on a witch-hunt of PPP/C and suspected PPP/C supporters. Lands are being taken away from farmers, more notably on the West Berbice area.

Core homes and house lots awarded to Indo-Guyanese are being repossessed by the regime. Daily, innocent people are being harassed.

Even though their own forensic audits have not shown any evidence of corruption committed by the PPP/C Government, they and their sympathetic media continue to talk about corruption.

They have even set up some bodies to investigate and prosecute ‘wrongdoers.’ This is clearly a witch-hunting operation. The APNU/AFC is using the State apparatus to harass political opponents.

The recent action in trying to forcefully take Red House from the Management Committee of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (CJRC) is another attempt at paramountcy of the PNC/APNU. They have carried out this blatant act, which is against the law since the CJRC has a valid lease.

The Ministry of the Presidency is now being repainted in green.

Clearly, this is a message to the people of Guyana that paramountcy is back.

The consequences are dire.

It will lead to more political discrimination and eventually to repression. Once the people begin to protest, the regime will move to using the State’s resources to deal with them.

That is bound to happen for this regime is piling on enormous pressure on the Guyanese people. They have no long-term plans for job creation. Indeed, the country is losing jobs.

People will protest.

The regime will also move to defend its own interests. Already, indications are that many persons in the regime are piling up huge wealth. This ‘Cadillac’ lifestyle on a declining economy will lead to more and more corruption and ill-gotten wealth.

This the PNC will defend stoutly.

Our own recent history when the PNC was in power is pointing where we are going.

‘Paramountcy of the Party’ will ultimately lead to disaster.

Sincerely,

Donald Ramotar

Former President