Granger abandoned his own rally
Well finally, the Opposition is finding some life for their faltering election campaign. Well, so it was thought. It’s not a “get up and run”; it’s more a “trying to get up, trying to stay up” effort.

It began in some ways in Linden last Saturday, and staying up was challenging. Those who were supposed to “hold it up” never turned up. David Granger, Leader of APNU (the re-brand of the PNC) was a no-show at what was the launch of the Party’s rally! So too was Robert Corbin! Why the two leaders would choose not to attend such an important event?

That was the talk during and after the limping start to an effort to create some semblance of a campaign. “Why? Why?” asked those in attendance. The answer was easy: the leaders had nothing to tell their dwindling supporters. Some felt it was because of shame that David and Robert stayed away; shame because the dark days of neglect of Linden under the PNC have been illuminated with progress under the PPP/C.

They cannot tell Lindeners that progress is absent under this administration for the evidence is overwhelming.

Bauxite is back and booming after the PNC wanted to close the mines down. A new state-of-the-art hospital, expanding housing schemes, numerous new schools for various levels, new roads and various financial initiatives like LEAP and LEAF to encourage entrepreneurship, are just a few of the achievements of the PPP/C in Linden and Region 10.

Linden has been vastly transformed with residents now enjoying a better standard of living in keeping with the country’s modernisation push.

These achievements are irrefutable. That is why David and Robert stayed away so that they would not have to answer for the PNC’s neglect of Linden when that Party was in office.

Ironically, the PNC has always touted Linden as its stronghold and still has control of the Regional Administration there. The poor turn-out of just about one thousand at the APNU rally is evident of how Lindeners have realised that the only way for their lives to be continuously improved is to divorce themselves from the PNC/APNU and support the PPP/C which has proven its commitment to Linden.

That is why thousands flocked the Lieu-Ken-Pen Square on Sunday, October 16, to be part of the PPP/C rally in a town that was supposed to be safe for the PNC! The people of Linden will not allow themselves to be fooled by APNU and the PNC. The current trend of massive show of support for the ruling Party in Linden shows that the PPP/C can win that region for the first time come November 28. Party leaders are very optimistic about it. These are very troubling signs for APNU and maybe that’s why Granger and Corbin were scared to show up. President Bharrat Jagdeo cancelled an overseas commitment just to be with the people of Linden last Sunday.

He and his Party have no reason to avoid Linden and can be proud of their achievements in the mining town. The massive turn-out at Lieu-Ken-Pen Square is indicative of residents’ appreciation and the pride they took to associate with the winning PPP/C.

This is unlike what’s happening within the APNU camp. Their supporters found it shocking, unimaginable and downright disrespectful for Granger and Corbin not to attend what was touted as a major rally.

Many present were of the opinion that the leaders of APNU do not care for Linden and its residents. The people’s rejection was evident from the embarrassingly poor turn-out at APNU’s rally.

Therein lies the big difference between the PPP/C and APNU. The PPP/C has always shown that it cares for all Guyanese and would never abandon them regardless of their perceived political allegiance. PPP leaders along with the President and his Cabinet were in Linden to rally with residents.

Their presence shows the importance of Linden and its people. The show of support from Lindeners at the PPP/C rally was a slap in the face for APNU’s Rupert Roopnarine, who called on residents there to turn off their lights as a show of boycott of the PPP/C rally.

Not one light was switched off. They rejected outright Roopnarine’s ludicrous call. Lindeners are now enlightened. They clearly did not want to be reminded of the dark days under the PNC when blackouts plagued the nation.

As such, they let their lights shine in protest of Roopnarine and APNU. That clearly has knocked the wind out of APNU’s campaign which is still struggling for lift-off. Lindeners did not provide the impetus it so badly needs. Don’t be surprised if Roopnarine is absent from the next “rally” as were Granger and Corbin in Linden!