Why one set of rules for the PPP/C and another set for APNU/AFC?

Dear Editor,

As a citizen of Guyana who has voted in several elections, I wish to make some comments on a few issues I have observed within the past year of APNU/AFC assuming the seat of power.

In addition to my right to vote, this is also my right to question what is going on in this country, more so the blatant double standards and dual sets of rules for two different political parties.

When the PPP/C was in government, I observed just how elements of the then opposition, the APNU and AFC, along with support groups of these parties had made governance of Guyana almost intolerable and difficult for the PPP/C.

The media became another thorn in the flesh of the PPP/C, observantly, carrying out directly and indirectly the mandate of the APNU/AFC. Every mistake – real and imagined – of the PPP/C resulted in party officials and government ministers being brutally flogged and crucified by the media, the APNU and AFC politicians, and many different social and interest groups.

Protests were held, throngs of people holding placards for prolonged periods were seen, abuse was heaped on ministers, and much unrest was created.

Almost every sector of society – from the NGOs, women’s groups, socio-political groups, legal fraternity and others – were on bashing, criticising, cursing and denigrating PPP/C ministers.

Not only were resignations called for whenever a PPP/C minister or official blundered, but brute actions were taken in the streets and the media belted out its string of attacks daily to ensure that PPP/C ministers were shamed and humiliated and the harshest punitive actions were taken against them.

When the labour unions didn’t get their way or their demands met for wages and salaries increase, the country was shut down as the unions engaged in massive and prolonged protests to bully the PPP/C government to grant them what they wanted.

Now there is a new government and the then opposition is in the seat of power. What do we observe? Do we observe the same alacrity to crucify wrong-doers when similar blunders are made? Do we see the media and its columnists gunning after the APNU/AFC ministers as they once did the PPP/C ministers? Do we hear from the international bodies, the private sector, business groups, social groups, etc on these blunders? How strong has been the call – if any at all – for any APNU/AFC minister to resign from his/her post for blunders?

Why is one set of rules used on the PPP/C when it was in government and another used for the APNU/AFC? Why is the APNU/AFC allowed to get away so easily with their blunders when that same party and media and others didn’t allow the PPP/C to get away with mistakes they made? Why did the labour unions make the country ungovernable and hindered the growth of the economy with great militancy, aggression and force under the PPP/C but now is taking an inert approach towards the APNU/AFC?

I would love to hear the answers.

Yours sincerely,

Daren J Harish