The politics of deception

THERE is never going to be a day in this land of many waters when the desperate acts of some political leaders are not on display.

And this is in reference to the latest act of cunning, that of bringing private criminal charges against two current cabinet ministers of the coalition government. Clearly, this is retaliation against the Executive in the aftermath of the charges against two former state grandees of the past PPP/C administration.

It is another of the grand strategy of the now well-known numerous patterned, numerous dishonest attempts at trying to hoodwink and deceive the nation by diversionary tactics. It is a deception that this party’s constituents should have ever since begun to question, particularly from the beginning of the GuySuCo tragedy about which they were bombarded with some of the most horrible untruths and deceptions. Sometimes, one has to wonder whether these thousands of families, particularly those members who have been sugar workers, realised how their years of hard work and sacrifice and loyalty have been

disrespected and used for the narrow ends of political power by their party leaders; the many dangerous lies and half-truths they have been told, such as the coalition government did not care about them and their families. This is an accusation that has already been disproved by the many initiatives embarked on by the administration and taken up by many of the terminated sugar workers.

It is time that the PPP/C members/followers/supporters begin to take serious stock of the moral behaviour of their party leaders, and of their many acts during the past administration that have had very serious consequences for the socio-economic development of this nation.

It is time, too, that they awake from beneath the heavy avalanche of the many misconceptions that have been their daily experience, and begin to be independent in their observations and knowledge as to what had occurred and the numerous efforts that are being made since 2015 by the coalition government to restore the image of this country through meaningful development, making it a better place for all Guyanese, irrespective of race, and not just the favoured few.

Guyanese must be reminded that it was during Bharrat Jagdeo’s rule that several instances of repressive governmental acts and actions were noted. There were heightened allegations—some not without justification—of racial tensions and conflicts, groups targeted for exclusion based on geography, political association, and identity. Imbalances in budgetary allocations and resources directed to, or taken away from regions where the government under his leadership did not control, were noted.

The narco-economy was allowed to flourish, which Professor Clive Thomas noted represented a significant percentage of the economy. The criminalised state was also coined, because in addition to the narco-economy, corruption was pervasive. Transparency International ranked Guyana the most corrupt Caribbean English-speaking country, a shame and stigma that require much work to remove. During this period, when hundreds of dead bodies were turning up all over the place, Dr Roger Luncheon famously described the carnage as being done by “phantom” squads. Later, it was learnt that the government’s hands were bloody.

Dissent and alternative views were not treated as a right or opportunity to engage or review. There exist several anecdotes. Notably among them is Mrs Jagan who was publicly demeaned for disagreeing with Jagdeo’s policy of withdrawing government advertisements from Stabroek News for its reportage. The Guyana Chronicle became a political mouth-piece, attacking political rivals, those the government disagreed with, and justifying whatever actions his government took.

President Jagdeo assented to the bill that allows a person not more than two consecutive terms to be president. On demitting office, he began putting a process in place to create a framework to see his return as president, though throughout Donald Ramotar’s presidency, he reiterated his non-intention of holding constitutional office again. The 2015 elections proved otherwise. Jagdeo not only appeared on the List of Representatives, but

successfully manipulated the system and became Leader of the Opposition. With the ascension to the most powerful office in the country’s oldest political party, there is need to begin frank and honest national discussions about Jagdeo’s politics which continues to reverberate and will shape the future of the PPP/C and Guyana.

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