PPP/C reaction to Nagamootoo’s move to AFC
THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) reaction to the move by ex-member Moses Nagamootoo to join the Alliance for Change (AFC), is “good riddance”. That is according to Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, who told a media briefing at Freedom House, in Robb Street, Georgetown, yesterday morning, that Nagamootoo’s decision to jump ship is not much of a surprise, since he has, over the years, demonstrated anti-party tendencies.
“All that has happened is that the hibernating period has matured. Nagamootoo’s leaving will not be a blow to the PPP/C,” he maintained.
Rohee declared that Nagamootoo has entertained illusions of grandeur for years, since before the death of the party Founder/Leader Dr. Cheddi Jagan.
Rohee said, following the death of the beloved Leader, Nagamootoo advanced the view that he was chosen by Dr. Jagan as his successor.
“At every PPP Congress since Dr. Jagan’s death Nagamootoo has been lobbying,” Rohee said.
He observed that, over the years, Nagamootoo’s position was that “you must take my way or else.”
“This attitude reminded me of (Forbes) Burnham’s days….no democratic party adheres to the whims and fancies of any individual,” Rohee stressed.
He noted that the ex-party member has accused the PPP/C of not addressing important issues, particularly those dealing with crime and security but the crux of the matter was not that the issues were not discussed. Rather it was that the conclusions made were not in line with Nagamootoo’s position on those matters.
“He did not accept the conclusions of those deliberations, which was the view of the collective majority,” Rohee told reporters.

ALERT
The Home Affairs Minister warned that the AFC should be alert to the fact that Nagamootoo is taking much baggage to that party.
“The Nagamootoo saga began unfolding years ago….this is not yesterday’s story,” he said.
Rohee said the ideals of Dr. Jagan have not been betrayed, as Nagamootoo claims.
“It appears that everyone in the PPP/C betrayed his (Dr. Jagan) over legacy…he is the only one who has upheld the ideals,” Rohee posited.
Rohee said, too, that the ex-party member’s claims are that, in the PPP/C, no member is honest, honourable or with integrity.
“It would appear that he is the only honest, honourable man with integrity,” he remarked, adding: “It is strange that he did not speak about loyalty, an important virtue when committing oneself to a political party.”
“The PPP/C has tolerated his anti-party comments over the years,” Rohee said.
He said the PPP/C could wish Nagamootoo well and let him go but, on the political playing field, his tirade against the current administration will not be left without a response.
“Nagamootoo has always considered himself better than President (Bharrat) Jagdeo, better than Mr. (Donald) Ramotar…he appears to be benevolent to those who have grievances, thriving on emotive sentiments,” Rohee said.

HYPOCRITE
He charged that Nagamootoo is a “hypocrite” and a man without principles, who has an obsession with power and has been advancing inconsistent views over the years, in articles published in the dailies.
Rohee quoted one Kaieteur News article in 2005 when Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan was expelled from the PPP/C that said: “Ramjattan is a man I want on my team…Ramjattan has integrity…Ramjattan has constructive criticism…Ramjattan is an asset. I would like to have him on my team.”
Rohee said, in that same year, Nagamootoo, when asked if he would join the newly established AFC, was quoted in Stabroek News as saying he was “uncertain, but anything could happen.”
Rohee recalled that, in 2006, Nagamootoo was, again, on record stating: “If I ever leave the PPP/C, I will never join another party.”
“The PPP/C will not be distracted…we have a campaign to wage. We have had many turncoats at every election period. We will continue to be focused,” Rohee assured.
He described the party as a “powerful machinery” that has come to being through the support of the Guyanese people.
Rohee noted that the PPP/C has, in the past, been a force to be reckoned with and remains so.
He acknowledged Nagamootoo’s accusations that there is an absence of positive leadership and of a “bloodless coup” that resulted in his exit from the PPP/C, but maintained that the successes that have been achieved, to date, will stand the party in good stead come November 28.