I REFER to Mark Da Costa’s “Ali is being touted as a potential leader”, as published in the Guyana Chronicle of August 22, 2019.

Indeed, “It is more than an affront to the Guyanese people that we are being asked to consider Irfaan Ali as a potential leader”. It is a sharp slap in the nation’s collective faces, in addition to a grave insult to many decent and honest-minded Guyanese, on either side of the political divide.

At best, it is also a national tragedy that this kind of disrespect can happen, particularly in the face of the many once-upon-a-time persons of principle, who used to raise their voices against such blatant criminalities. Where are they?

That Ali could have been foisted by Bharrat Jagdeo upon first, the PPP/C, as its candidate, explains the undemocratic system of their party, where there is no room for dissent or consensus. In fact, it is about adhering to the official line of the party, determined by an undemocratic few, as dictated to by party leader. In fact, one does not need a political analyst to explain that they all owe their political rise and status in the party to the maximum leader, who simply called in the chips.

Editor, although it was said that there had been disgruntlement among some party seniors, and throughout the general support base because of known information about Ali’s alleged dishonesty, and his current arraignment on 19 criminal charges before the Courts, it would seem that this never grew to the point of outright dissent for the purpose of having a change in candidacy. This points to the well-known tradition of PPP/C supporters closing ranks, even in the face of such known venalities, when they should be demanding answers from their party leaders. It is within this context, one opines, that the tragedy of Ali’s candidacy has to be seen.

The party leader was only too well aware that there would be muted protests against the choice of Ali, which would dissipate, as it has in fact occurred. He could care less about those in the communities, since it was tradition that they are going to unquestionably accept his choice, while those who were particularly concerned, only dissenting behind closed doors rather than openly, lest they be ‘crucified’ and become ostracised within their communities.

If indeed, there is unanimous support for Ali as PPP/C’s candidacy among constituents, then one must question what kind of moral principles they as party supporters do represent and demand of their leaders; and whether it is fair/justified upon themselves as supporters of his nomination to accept such a party member with dubious academic credentials charges to be answered in court, and barred from entering Canada.
Regards,
Carla Mendonca