Nandlall says Nagamootoo must explain ‘violent removal’ comment

VICE Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Mr. Moses Nagamootoo, contends that the atmosphere in Guyana is tense enough to result in the “violent” removal of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration if it continues to govern.

But his comment, published in the Guyana Times on Wednesday in an article headlined ‘No-confidence motion avoids “violent” removal of PPP/C – AFC’, has attracted attention and raised eyebrows.

Nagamootoo is reported to have said, “It (the no-confidence motion) is intended to open doors and possibilities for the renewal of our political life and political culture. I think the no-confidence motion will have a good taste and good smell for the people.
“…if you did not have a peaceful removal of a government and the government has done sufficiently enough wrong things, then you may have a violent removal of the government. This motion is trying to prevent a situation in Guyana that could bring great harm to all of our people.”

Asked to comment on the matter, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, stated that Nagamootoo should be called upon to explain what he means by a “violent removal” of the Government.

“Such an eventuality is a treasonable act, which is a capital offence punishable by death, and therefore this is a serious disclosure which ought not to be lightly dismissed,” Nandlall said.

He also described Nagamootoo as well known to be “afflicted with delusions of grandeur,” evidence of which is seen in the statements he makes.

Nandlall said, “One recalls his delusional claim that Dr. Cheddi Jagan anointed him somewhere in the Rupununi to take over the PPP (Peoples Progressive Party). It is in this same vein that he conjures up the ‘creation of history and a revolution’ in the local political landscape in Guyana by tabling of a no-confidence motion, all of which he will subsequently credit to himself as his personal achievements. This is vintage Moses Nagamootoo.”
The AG reiterated that Article 106 of the Constitution confers upon every member in the National Assembly the right to table a no-confidence motion against the Government.

“The public spectacle that is being created is completely unwarranted, and is simply intended to excite political sentiments. Mr. Nagamootoo spoke about this no-confidence motion nearly two months ago, and up to now he cannot complete drafting it. The population is getting tired of these idle political threats.

“It is not without significance that Mr. Nagamootoo chooses to make these statements while his leader, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, is in Canada attending a wedding,” he said.

The AG expressed hope that international organisations, including the United Nations (UN), CARICOM (Caribbean Community), the OAS (Organisation of American States), UNASUR (Union of South American Nations) and the embassies of foreign countries in Guyana have taken note on Nagamootoo’s comments.

“This is a threat against democracy, the rule of law and constitutional governance,” Nandlall concluded.

Attempts to contact PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee for a comment on the matter proved futile.

(By Vanessa Narine)