Racism does not align with principles of Party – PNC Chairman

Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Shurwayne Holder, has dispelled claims that the party is sidelining and attempting to stifle the voices of members who criticise party leader Aubrey Norton ahead of the Party’s Congress.

According to Holder, such allegations, and those of discrimination, are tactics being used by those who oppose Norton to garner supporters for the upcoming congress.
Last week, the war of words amplified between PNC stalwart Amna Ally and Holder, with Ally calling out Holder for his attacks on her and her right to criticise party leader Aubrey Norton.
Referring to Holder’s allegations against her as garbage, former PNC General Secretary Ally called Norton an unfit leader, and noted that she is merely saying what many in the party are too afraid to say.
Ally also made it clear that she cannot be silenced and sit quietly while Norton “weakens and destroys” the PNC/R party.
Further, former Georgetown Mayor and PNC member Ubraj Narine posited that for the party to truly represent the aspirations of its constituents, it must provide a space wherein individuals from all backgrounds feel valued and included.
He had said that rather than stifling voices of dissent, the PNC must embrace its diverse membership base while taking into consideration Guyana’s multi-ethnic composition. He went on to call on the PNC congress to address the concerns raised by loyal members who feel marginalized due to their Indian heritage, or those who desire to challenge the party’s leadership.
Both Ally and Narine have publicly signalled their support for current PNC/R Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde, a Senior Counsel who has already declared his intention to challenge Norton for leadership of the party.
During a press conference on Thursday, Holder responded to the comments, and highlighted that the PNC prides itself in being a diverse political group that works in the interest of the public.
“When I said what I said, it was nothing of race; nothing in my statement could insinuate race. Shurwayne Holder: his mother is Indian, his grandmother is Indian, and his wife is Amerindian. I have spoken with Comrade Ally and I have told her that we can have our disagreement, but she, too, knows me personally and can never associate race with me,” Holder shared.
Holder added that racial discrimination also does not align with the principles of the party, and this is since its conception.
“That doesn’t align with our ideology; it does not align with the principles (and) it does align with the practice of the party over the years… We are welcoming Indo-Guyanese into this party, and we want to see a party with Indigenous Guyanese,” The PNC Chairman added.
It was previously announced that the PNCR Congress would be held before its August 31, 2024 deadline. Holder said preparations are ongoing, and a committee is being established to finalize the PNC members’ list ahead of Congress. According to the Chairman, the committee is part of the party’s efforts to ensure elections are executed smoothly.
Holder believes there will be at least 1,000 delegates at that congress. He claimed that persons who walked away from the party are now returning.
Additionally, the committee will also ensure transparency and accountability, since two current Executives of the party, namely Roysdale Forde and Ganesh Mahipal, have both publicly expressed interest in contesting for the post of leader.
According to Holder, while he is supporting Norton in the upcoming congress, it doesn’t matter who the new leader is, given that the party has one common goal, which is to be returned to Government.
“I believe that we are in a strong position at this point. Over the last two years, the leadership team has worked hard on the ground, tirelessly. We have shifted the powers that we think were a little away from us now to a position where they are speaking with us regularly, understanding our vision, understanding our policy and the direction that we want to carry this country into,” Holder said.