Dear Editor,
In 2018, I wrote thus, ‘The lure for power and pecuniary gains will always rule paramount for third parties. This was evidenced in 1964 and again in 2015 by both the UF and the AFC. The pretenders and the pretensions of these Third Parties are well documented’, however, with the advent another under the guise of being a philanthropist there is still the same old story-the quest for vengeance which has now become the sole focus not unlike the AFC’s Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan who did nothing to disguise their venomous schemes. The plan is simple-get rid of the PPP at any and all costs and it is not about socio-economic development of Guyana and the Guyanese people, it is about the extraction of a pound of flesh, dear Shylock. We are now witnessing a rebirth of this scenario.
Azruddin Mohamed has finally laid bare his intentions to participate in the Presidential race after much public speculation and ground testing and of course massive persuasion from former Alliance for Change (AFC) executive members who saw another great opportunity to elevate themselves to high political offices, having been unceremoniously discarded by the AFC which formed part of the former Coalition Government from 2015 to 2020. These resentful and disgruntled gentlemen are the worst since they are at the twilight of their lives and the ascension to high offices has continued to delude them hence, they will jump on any wagon which can take them to their elusive destination. But be not mistaken this wagon is loaded with money and accountability will not be a problem. These gentlemen love to spend ‘freely’ when the money is not theirs, especially an infamous mercenary from Berbice. This philanthropist will face the harsh realities of political life since he is now surrounded by an army of soldiers of fortune who love the glitter of gold more than their country. This reminds me of an old adage: a fool and his money shall soon part. How will Azruddin fare with such a band of self-seeking malcontents and mischief-makers?
It must be recalled that the leaders of the AFC main thrust and objective was to ‘get rid of the PPP’ as evidenced by the subversive tactics they used in Parliament even before the actual coalescing took place. It was never about putting Guyana first but rather to get rid of their arch enemy.
At no point in time was the AFC honest about tackling the socio-economic problems facing this country. And it came to pass when they formed the Coalition government from 2015 to 2020, that they became completely submissive to the PNC and became part and parcel of their innate corrupt practices. They were totally consumed and became the PNC hence their political demise and despite the changing of the leadership faces in the AFC, the populace will never forget that they were part and parcel of the attempted rigging of the 2020 Elections which held this nation hostage for 5 long months.
When I read Mr Azruddin’s statement, my mind immediately travelled back to the AFC’s Action Plan and the similar hypocritical statements made by Mr Ramjattan and Trotman therein. I wish to remind the Guyanese public of what Ramjattan and Trotman had stated in that Action Plan. Khemraj Ramjattan had stated that, the AFC will free us from ‘the divisive racial politics of the past, from the corruption that engulfs us, from the oppressive taxes we are forced to pay, from the deadly crime that haunts and traumatizes us, from the economic decline, and from the hopelessness that we breathe daily….Over four decades of PNC and PPP Governments have left us all bruised, weary and hopeless.’
His counterpart, Mr. Trotman had echoed similar proclamations. He had stated that, ‘the rich get richer while most Guyanese continue to remain poor…Failure to change now will lead to five more years of high taxation, higher unemployment, soaring crimes and widespread hopelessness’ (AFC’s Action Plan 2011). This was very convincing at the time and it fooled a lot of gullible people. The facts speak for itself from 2015 to 2020. Empty rhetoric will no longer fool Guyanese.
Now let us see what the new kid on the block is saying. Having equated the indomitable fighter for the oppressed, Dr Cheddi Jagan with Guyana’s dictator and master rigger, the late LFS Burnham he guilefully sought to garner support from both following. Forbes Burnham never did anything to uplift Guyanese from poverty, in fact he plunged them deeper into poverty to the point where Guyana was poorer than Haiti and accessing food was a criminal act. I would like to see an aspiring presidential candidate begin his journey with an honest first step and not a deceitful statement. How can we then believe that he will commit to, ‘put my shoulder to the task, and dedicate my mind and heart to building a world-class Guyana where every citizen is treated equally, not through buzzwords, but through the hard work of rebuilding trust and forging genuine harmony’? He claimed that, ‘I have seen my people oppressed and I want more for them because Guyana deserves better.’ Where is the ‘oppression’? Guyana’s worst oppressor, LFS Burnham never ‘uplifted’ any Guyanese.
How does this resonate with the fact the lives of Guyanese are improving on a daily basis and having ‘crumbs’ is an option for those who wants to be sit and do nothing. There are job vacancies all over and illegal foreigners are making a comfortable living whilst some Guyanese are just complaining with the hope that some philanthropist will dole out some goodies. Hard work is the key.
Guyanese beware a greater mischief is afoot than 2015. Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of charity and humility.
Yours sincerely,
Haseef Yusuf
