Vacillation has become imbedded in PNCR’s politics of opportunism

Dear Editor,
We have never been taken onto a track of political opportunism of such magnitude as is currently being displayed by the APNU-AFC leaders. As part of their new political strategy, they have succeeded in introducing into the Guyana political lexicon a key component called “vacillation.” This concept allows them to constantly change their narrative to synchronise with new situations as those arise. Nowhere is this approach more visible and pronounced than in the post-elections’ recount period (3/3/20-6/16/20).
Since their assumption of office (2015), the PNCR have focused mainly on consolidation and retention of power. In this regard, David Granger’s exhortation to the PNCR faithful in USA was the beginning of the conceptualisation of power consolidation and retention. Combined with lack of a strong vision, this negative force has led to a precipitous decline in sectoral performance. The concept of party paramountcy provided the philosophical underpinning for their peculiar approach to governance.
The PNCR’s reluctance to engage others, including the PPPC Opposition, in the Exxon oil negotiations in 2016 was a clear sign that no one should encroach on their power. The PNCR’s defiance of the NCM (No Confidence Motion) of December 2018 is a classic case of “might is right.” Then came another political bombshell: they unilaterally appointed James Patterson as the GECOM Chair, contrary to the Constitution. In respect to Patterson’s appointment, the narrative was, “He was fit and proper.”
In defying the High Court’s rulings, they claimed they were ready to hold elections, but had to be advised when GECOM was ready. The Guyanese people, observer missions, the diplomatic community and the world were told by President David Granger that the elections on March 2, 2020 were free, fair and orderly. This position was shared by the GECOM Chair.
On March 3, 2020, all the political parties knew that, based on GECOM-issued SOPs, the PPP/C had won the elections, but the PNCR insisted that they had won the elections, purportedly based on Mingo’s false declaration. PNCR member Leonard Craig stated categorically that Granger should have been sworn in on the basis of GECOM’s (Mingo) declaration (KN: 5/13/20). There were two other attempts to install Granger as President on the basis of Mingo’s fraudulent figures.
Why Granger backed down was the stern message he received from the West, especially the US. The narrative for this was that David Granger does not want to be installed under controversial circumstances.
Recognising that the installation of Granger as President would have serious consequences, the PNCR sought political shelter in a revised dossier issued in April 2020, which was sent to the Washington sanction- busting firm of JJ&B, LLC. This document wrongly states that the PNCR won the elections, but correctly indicates that the elections were free and fair. The PNCR had expected that this document, which paints an ugly picture of the PPPC, would soften the position of the West towards their attempts to steal the 2020 elections. The narrative for this (mis)adventure was that PNCR are the “good” party and the PPPC are the “bad” party.
An extended period for the recount would have given the PNCR enough time to create an opportunity to tamper with the ballot boxes, as well as to extend their illegal stay in Government. That opportunity was blocked by the surveillance of the ballot boxes 24/7 by the Guardians of Democracy; thus, the PNCR’s Plan B collapsed.
With no opportunity to tamper with the ballot boxes, the PNCR continued with the narrative that they had won the elections. Up to May 18, 2020, Granger stated on a Mark Benschop radio programme that his party had won the elections; but, as the Mingo fraud continued to unravel, they have been forced to change their narrative over the past weeks by claiming, instead, electoral irregularities such as a bloated voters’ list and deceased and overseas Guyanese voting.
Hence, they have now turned to Plan C. They know that their embrace of the Mingo fraud can no longer conceal their defeat, so they have embarked on a programme to discredit the electoral process by making allegations of irregularities, even though those are unproven and would have no material effect on the outcome. Today, they have made public that they want the elections to be squashed. There is no more talk about PNCR victory; all the previous narratives have withered away.
The elections cannot be squashed. GECOM has to announce the winner based on the tabulated SORs’ results. Alleged irregularities as stated by the PNCR’s Leonard Craig would be settled by way of an election petition. What would certainly remain in this post-election struggle is also the PNCR’s political opportunism, called “vacillation.”

Sincerely,
Dr Tara Singh