AS was pointed out in an earlier editorial in this newspaper, the distrust between the opposition parties, APNU and the AFC, on the issue of arriving on a consensus candidate for the Speaker of the National Assembly seems to be getting deeper, and in such a scenario, the PPP/C candidate Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, former Speaker, could retain the position.
The issue of the rotating mayorship for Georgetown following the 1994 local government elections was recalled to show how the PNC reneged on an agreement, and therefore cannot be trusted to honour its word. More recent developments have borne this out as the AFC has publicly declared that if an agreement cannot be reached then it might concede the Speakership to the PPP/C.
AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan told the state-run National Communications Network (NCN)  on Monday that, if an agreement cannot be reached with the PNCR by this month-end, then the position will be handed to the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
The AFC leader also noted that if APNU is not willing to negotiate, then the AFC will turn to the PPP/C for endorsement of Moses Nagamootoo, who, in his view, is the most suitable person in the opposition camp to fill the chair.
While the two opposition parties seem to have agreed on the principle of a rotating Speaker, a bigger obstacle seems to now appear in their path and that is, each side is now insisting on having the first term. In addition, APNU is adamant that Moses Nagamootoo is not the most suitable opposition candidate, a view which the AFC totally disagrees with, and is therefore insisting on their candidate holding the position.
However, APNU’s candidate’s credentials are not that healthy for holding a prestigious post which carries tremendous responsibilities. She has been a controversial figure in and out of the National Assembly and has a  tendency to be vulgar and highly contentious.
Mr. Ramjattan has advanced an argument which bears merit, that his party has been responsible for the PPP/C not maintaining its majority and on that basis should hold the first term in a rotating speakership scenario.
“We are gonna say: why you want your candidate to serve first as against ours? And that’s a simple thing (and) let them come back to that argument. We feel Nagamootoo should get the speakership…,” Ramjattan said.
Ramjattan said he has been speaking to quite a number of individuals and the general view is that the AFC should get the speakership of the National Assembly.
He confessed that his party and APNU have breached the tripartite agreement entered into with the government, hence progressing with the discussion on the speakership without the PPP/C.
It would be interesting to see what plays out in the next few days, but certainly those who voted for APNU and the AFC must be rethinking as to whether they voted correctly, as they must be asking themselves that if the two parties cannot agree on a relatively simple matter, then how could they ever manage a government?
Whatever is the case, these parties should not be insisting unflinchingly on what is best for their respective party, but rather should be looking at what is best for the Parliament and this country.
In other words, self-interest should be suppressed for the national interest. That is what constitutes patriotism and commitment to people’s development. It is now highly questionable whether these parties have such commitment.