THE Alliance For Change (AFC) is a dead party, and those who would have voted for that party in 2011, being misguided by former Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) members Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan, are now being called upon to ‘return home’, as a vote for the coalesced APNU+AFC is in fact a vote for Opposition Leader Brigadier (rtd) David Granger.

This is the message of former president Bharrat Jadgeo on the campaign trail. Along with Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, himself a trained economist, Jagdeo has also been speaking to the fact that the APNU majority, as touted by its leaders, is in fact a myth.

While in Berbice over the weekend, Jagdeo explained to supporters that, on Nomination Day, when the respective parties contesting this year’s elections would have had to submit a list, only one was submitted on behalf of the APNU+AFC coalition, with Granger named as contesting for the Executive Presidency.

Jagdeo argued that Nagamootoo and Ramjattan hold no negotiating leverage with APNU, that the AFC is dead, and that its members are still attempting to hoodwink the electorate into thinking they would still be voting for the likes of the two former PPP/C members on Election Day.

Jagdeo told supporters that Messrs Ramjattan and Nagamootoo have betrayed the trust of the people; the party; and its founder, Dr. Cheddi Jagan; and he had this to say to those voters who had been “misguided” in 2011 and had “listened to the sweet words (of Ramjattan and Nagamootoo): “I say to all of them (that) the PPP is your home; come back home!”

Interrupted by loud cheers, the former president continued: “Do not listen to them again!”

Jagdeo is joined on the PPP/C List of Candidates by a number of party stalwarts and new faces, including Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, who has sought to dispel what he described as a misconception among the APNU supporters that is peddled by its leaders.

Dr. Ramsaroop’s argument is that, following the 2011 General and Regional Elections, APNU supporters should be aware that that coalition received only 40 per cent of the votes cast at the time, compared to nearly 49 per cent for the PPP/C. This equated to 26 seats for APNU and 32 by the PPP/C —- the incumbent clearly enjoying the plural majority of votes and seats allocated in the National Assembly. Dr. Ramsaroop points out that “the AFC was a distant third.”

As he joins PPP/C Leaders on the 2015 campaign trail, the economist and local businessman predicts that “the APNU supporters’ misconception will lead to violence after (the elections), as in previous engagements….

“I have been there within the belly of the PNC (Peoples National Congress) and know how the violence starts and how it is instigated,” Dr. Ramsaroop has declared.

The PNC serves as the largest bloc in the APNU partnership.
According to Dr. Ramsaroop, Opposition Leader, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, needs to ensure “we have a peaceful election from his supporters, especially since recent polling numbers show that the AFC cannot maintain their 2011 levels.”

Dr. Ramsaroop has also observed that some businessmen who are now supporting APNU “such as Jacob Rambarran, owner of RBS Channel 13, complimented Brigadier (rtd) Granger for holding his coalition together since 2011.”

Dr. Ramsaroop points out that Rambarran, in his disingenuousness, “failed to acknowledge the destabilising tactics of the 10th Parliament under Granger’s leadership.”
He has been reminding supporters that “Granger’s coalition only received 40 per cent of the votes and did not hold any majority in Parliament.”

Dr. Ramsaroop says that many of his past criticisms of the PPP/C have been implemented and achieved. He says there are many more programmes that he has advocated for, and are scheduled as part of the PPP/C’s 2015 Elections Manifesto, ‘Guyana Version 2.0,’ “which will radically transform our national posture and add critical higher level paying jobs, which ultimately will allow for career progression for many of our people.”

Dr. Ramsaroop is of the opinion that the PPP/C’s 2020 Version of moving to a transport-led and energy-driven economy, which includes the Hydro Plant and paving of the road to Brazil, “will radically change our local economics.”

Transportation infrastructure, according to Dr. Ramsaroop, “means we will get goods to market faster with the Brazil connection (and) using our Deep Water Harbour will see increased income in many villages.”

The economist predicts that “the connection between a village’s proximity to a new road is estimated to increase as high as 25 per cent, based on other samples done around the world.”

He has since deduced that there will be a positive impact on villagers’ agricultural activities and their ability to get to markets and increased income.

“It is not just about the trucks bringing goods to the port, but them taking back our products, such as our cash crops, coconuts and other products to Brazil as one example,” Dr. Ramsaroop argues.

In addition, Dr. Ramsaroop says, “The bridging between Guyana and Suriname will rapidly increase trade…. Since the building of the Berbice Bridge, goods and people movement between the counties has had a major economic return to both business and people.”

Dr. Ramsaroop has, over time, been arguing on the campaign trail that “Version 2.0 is exciting, and every Guyanese must study and be part of the development…. As President Donald Ramotar said: “Our future is bright, and the achievements that have been accomplished across Guyana now allow us to move to the next level of development.”
By Gary Eleazer