Tacuma is mistaken if he believes he can scare the PNC dominated Govt

Dear Editor,
I have seen an interesting letter written by Tacuma Ogunseye which was published in the Stabroek News on March 18, 2018. Two things emerge from that letter. First, Tacuma made it very clear that his practice of politics is race based and is focused on Guyana’ss Afro-Guyanese community. I commend Tacuma for his openness. In disclosing his efforts to collaborate with the PNC, as a necessary expedient, to find an Indian running mate for Mr Granger in 2015, Tacuma wrote that he was making the disclosure because he wanted the Stabroek News readership and particularly “APNU supporters and members of the African community , whose interests at the time were of paramount importance to him” to know of his efforts. In making the disclosure of his African community interests, the question naturally arises, Why Tacuma was so concerned about finding an Indian running mate for Mr Granger? The answer is clear and simple. An Indian who ran with Granger, was likely and it was the expectation at the time, would draw Indian votes away from the PPP, thereby strengthening the chance of an African dominated party and an African leader being elected to Government. This, as revealed by Tacuma was the racial/ political consideration which was at the heart of the APNU political strategy in 2015. To secure Afro Guyanese dominance in Government, the Indian vote, as a matter of convenience, was necessary. There could be no quarrel with APNU seeking to win Indian votes, if its overtures to the Indian community had a foundation of sincerity, dependability and trust. Tacuma’s explanation reveals a sickening focus on race. Sickening because, his strategy was not well- intentioned for the Indian community. His concerns were about the African community whose interests were and no doubt still is, his paramount concern. Simply put, the Indian vote was to be secured only for the purpose of ensuring a majority for the African dominated APNU/PNC/AFC. The 2015 elections show that the Indian vote was courted for APNU/PNC/AFC success. When that success was achieved, it did not take long for Indians who were duped and supported the Tacuma strategy to be dumped and forgotten. Four thousand Indians have been uncaringly thrown out of employment and they and their families face an extremely bleak future, and this is happening, even with an Indian in office as Granger’s No.2 man, the ailing, politically and administratively incapacitated and impotent Prime Minister Mose Nagamootoo. Indians, who allowed themselves to be misled, misguided and fooled into voting for APNU/PNC/AFC now realize and understand , according to Tacuma that they were important only for their votes for APNU/PNC/AFC and that now, they are being “ kicked to the kerb” while two “ leading Indian sheep” in the AFC look on, bleating helplessly and fearfully, but knowingly determined to protect their offices, status, priveleges and perks. They are not prepared to lose the good life provided for their silence and acquiescence. The occasional meaningless bleat is tolerated, those being seen as quite harmless. Secondly, Tacuma calls on the WPA to adopt a political agenda and to make a determination whether it made sense to remain in the APNU coalition government. Tacuma makes this call to manifest his displeasure at the way the rulers have treated his comrade David Hinds at the Chronicle. My personal view is that Tacuma is bluffing. We are witnessing more political strategy from Tacuma. His call seems calculated to scare the rulers about the likelihood of a collapse of the kingdom, but he knows very well that the WPA and its leaders have committed to the dominance of an Afrocentric government for Guyana. He knows that David Hinds has openly declared that he , Lincoln Lewis and Freddie Kissoon, three leading “African Guyanese” activists are committed to keeping the PPP and its Indian support base out of office. In relation to Tacuma,s call, David Hinds has openly stated that it was not one he would encourage or support. If Tacuma believes he can scare the leaders of this PNC dominated Government, he is mistaken. He appears to have forgotten the true nature of the beast which he in the past experienced and knows so very, very well.

Sincerely,
Selwyn Persaud