Nothing but a ‘political sham’
RAPHAEL Trotman’s appointment as Alliance For Change (AFC)’s prime ministerial candidate has been regarded in some quarters as a ‘political sham’ designed to concretize alliance with the PNCR (People’s national Congress)-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). The AFC, at its national executive meeting yesterday, appointed Trotman to replace Sheila Holder who quit as Khemraj Ramjattan’s running-mate for the upcoming general elections.
Trotman, who had earlier hinted at his imminent departure from the AFC in February this year, accepted the appointment, despite the major leadership brawl that had surfaced between he and Ramjattan over the rotation of both the presidential and prime ministerial candidacies.
Trotman’s earlier refusal to join the slate as Ramjattan’s running-mate (using as his  excuse health and personal reasons)confirmed suspicions that the rancour ran deep between the two.
According to political analysts, tension between Trotman and Ramjattan may very well intensify, given the former’s adamance about joining forces with the PNCR-led APNU.
“… apart from Trotman’s difficulties working under Ramjattan,” they say, “his heart is with the PNCR, which now calls itself APNU, and very frankly, he sees better opportunities right at Congress Place.’’
Other usually reliable sources also say Trotman has been having regular, secret meetings with PNCR/APNU executives.
Last year, Guyana Chronicle exposed a clandestine meeting between Trotman and former PNCR Chairman, Winston Murray, on a PNCR/AFC coalition bid. Reports are that Trotman continues to meet with PNCR executives on his proposed cross-over.
Political analysts are convinced that the AFC’s political blunders are indicative of the crisis the party is in, with no likelihood of the situation getting any better before the elections are called.
“If you analyze [the situation] carefully, one could see the AFC is in serious shambles, and while Ramjattan is trying the glaring hang-ups, the odds are against them,’’ they conceded yesterday.
Before yesterday’s meet, the Trotman faction in the AFC, who are of the belief that Holder’s exit presented the perfect opportunity for him to take up the presidential candidacy, was worried about their chances under Ramjattan.
According to an AFC insider, Ramjattan’s poor showing in Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne) in the 2006 elections, and his continuous ‘foot-in-the-mouth’ blunders are signs of his heading in the wrong direction.
On the other hand, the Ramjattan faction, made up mainly of former members of Ravi Dev’s ROAR movement, are suspicious of Trotman, whom they feel wants to join PNCR-led APNU.
Businessman, Peter Ramsaroop, who has resigned as AFC Chief Executive Officer, and withdrew his membership of the party, publicly expressed his displeasure at Ramjattan’s leadership.
Trotman is a former senior PNCR member and parliamentarian who defected to form his own party, while Ramjattan, who did likewise, is a former senior member of the ruling PPP/C.