The declining political stardom of Azruddin Mohamed

Dear Editor,
Lured into politics by disgruntled power seekers of the likes of Chris Ram and others, Azruddin Mohamed first gained notice and attention by travelling the country, distributing gifts to residents along the way – a house here, an E-bike or wheelchair there – and he quickly earned the praise and admiration of recipients of his generosity. Drowning in wealth, many thought he was following in the footsteps of his father, a known Guyanese philanthropist who donated portions of his huge, accumulated wealth to worthy causes and organisations. But the flamboyant, pampered son soon manoeuvred his way into the world of national politics, declaring his candidacy for Guyana’s presidency through the formation of the WIN party. Like any dedicated father, Mohamed came out in support of his son.
Given his access to and generous utilisation of wealth, Azruddin initially experienced little to no difficulty in attracting crowds to his rallies, most of whom were apparently eager, or allegedly paid, to welcome the “new kid on the political block”. Lavished with praise by opposition forces, Azruddin gladly embraced some of the anti-Government advocates into his (WIN) party fold. Soon thereafter, anti-Government advocates such as Chris Ram brazenly compared Azruddin to the legendary historian Dr Walter Rodney as if to boost the former’s likeability and political ascendancy. However, Azruddin himself soon proved Ram not only wrong but also ridiculous. For, unlike the eloquent and brilliant Rodney, Azruddin’s bumbling speeches became publicly evident, and his inability to command the attention of attendees at his campaign rallies readily surfaced in their inattentive behavioural displays and early departures from the events. In addition, his paternal uncles, disquieted by his entry into politics, voiced their apprehensions in supporting him, pointing to his lack of qualifications and political immaturity in vying for the presidency. Furthermore, his fiscal irresponsibility, evident from his possession of luxurious cars and other material possessions, coupled with his flaunting of wealth publicly – through gifts and cash distributions – gradually invited increasing scrutiny.
As the days and weeks of political campaigns continued, Azruddin’s lack of knowledge of Government, Governmental relations, parliamentary functions, developmental policies, international relations, geopolitics, diplomacy, race relations, etc., became burdensome to his candidacy and political campaigns. Feedback voluntarily provided called into question the very title of his WIN party – We Invest in Nationhood – with some questioning Azruddin’s proficiency in “building” nationhood when he does not understand multiculturalism in a heterogeneous pluralistic society, to which a few added that he supports hostility and divisiveness. So how can he build nationhood? they asked.
Now, in the waning days of political campaigning, the beleaguered Azruddin’s political stardom seems to have received another blow, this time from PPP/C leaders’ continued efforts to extol the benefits of developmental policies to all Guyanese. For example, during their re-election campaign speeches in Lethem, both the president and vice president linked the benefits of the PPP/C policies of national development to the benefits these brought to families, individuals and communities. In so doing, the vice president and president energised attendees and reaffirmed their support come election day. In promising to increase familial support through augmentation of financial allotments to children and ageing adults, campaign attendees walked away pleased that they are not being ignored or left behind.
And, with the WIN party promising tremendous increases in cash grants, one wonders how prudent such a promise is, especially since the Government’s coffers can be likened to one’s bank account, savings, or income. It is accrued incrementally – not all at once – and budgeted in accordance with the various needs of the country, similar to how a family budgets for food, clothing, children’s schooling, amenities, family emergencies, etc. If a family spends all its financial resources at once, it places family members at risk. Even Azruddin would not give away all his money because such would most likely put him and his family at risk. Correspondingly, it would be foolhardy for the PPP/C Government to deplete its revenue by distributing huge sums to the people. This would most definitely bankrupt the country and result in a national crisis that negatively affects every citizen. One wonders whether Azruddin understands the principles and value of good governance. And the way he squanders his family fortune attests to his fiscal irresponsibility, a disqualifying trait of Governmental leadership and an abomination to Guyana’s electorate.
When taken as a whole, the information presented attests to the declining political stardom of Azruddin. Premature? I think not. For Azruddin, dwindling public appeal and disapproval would become glaringly evident on election day when voters re-elect the PPP/C and thereby relegate Azruddin into the abysmal darkness of has-been politicians.

Regards,
Narayan Persaud, PhD