FAR away in South Africa, July 18, is now regarded as ‘Nelson Mandela Day’ to celebrate the birth of an icon who is recognised across the globe. At home here, the turmoil created in Linden by Opposition forces, propels the designation of July 18, 2012, as  ‘David Granger Day’; a day when death by provocation seemed the desired goal for political gratification. Such a day, like every other significant day, would have influential gestation periods. Of course, all are aware influence can either be positive or negative.
As in Mandela’s case, the events that would have culminated in the designation of a day in his honour, would have been his struggles to end Apartheid and the personal sufferings he was forced to endure. In Granger’s case, it has to do with what seems to be his unbridled obsession to become the Leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC). Judging from the related events that have unfolded with regards to him versus Carl Greenidge, it is clear that ascending to the throne in Congress Place, may not be the “walk in the park” he thought.
This two-man race to grab the seat of power of the main Opposition, has taken on a dangerous dimension as evident from the deaths in Linden. To understand this, one has to understand prior events pertaining to the internal rumblings of the PNC. At the time of the election of the Presidential Candidate of the Party, five were in the reckoning including Granger and Greenidge, with the latter coming up a few votes short. This loss did not go down well with Greenidge, and given the support he enjoys from one section of the Party and his own standing, Granger could not have ignored him from becoming a Member of Parliament in A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
Given his forte, despite his failings as Minister of Finance when he oversaw the country becoming bankrupt in 1992, Greenidge became “shadow” Minister in the current Parliament, much to the displeasure of Granger, who by then was officially the Leader of the Opposition; a post coveted by Greenidge who never allowed an opportunity to be lost to show that he should have been in charge. His own unbridled ambition for the Leadership of the PNC propelled him to be irrational, which wasn’t surprising, as he engineered unconscionable cuts to the 2012 National Budget.
His deficiency in rationale was further evident when he was vehemently unapologetic about jobs that were lost as a result of the budget cuts. Cleary a most callous stone-hearted statement totally unbecoming of someone who wanted very much to be President! While this was colossal for those who are affected, it provided Greenidge his much sought opportunity to wallow as the protagonist in a carefully orchestrated script to appease Party extremists who have stood steadfast through their forthright intentions to crush the government even if it means some of their own losing jobs following the said budget cuts.
This presented a new-found euphoria for Greenidge which resonated with the extremists, but it significantly eroded the confidence they would have had in Granger when he was entrusted with the Leadership.
It must be recalled that Granger had agreed with government’s proposal for gradual increases in electricity tariffs in Linden which would eventually standardise rates across the country. Greenidge saw Granger’s agreement with the proposal as weakness and along with his loyal extremists, capitalised on it and launched protest action in the mining town.
Subsequently, barbs continue to be traded between the two as the election for Leadership of the PNC approaches. In an effort to regain lost ground and to steal Greenidge’s thunder, many believe that Granger chose the day the Chief Justice would rule on government’s challenge to the budget cuts, to mount the protest seen in Linden on July 18. It was, as usual, deemed a ‘peaceful protest’, but, as usual, it confirmed with PNC protests in the past that were never devoid of intimidation and violence. Wednesday, July 18, was no different.
The protestors blocked thoroughfares and bridges preventing law abiding people from executing their business and by extension, prevented them from exercising their constitutional duties. The Police sounded many warnings which were deliberately not heeded as a show of might. The Police was forced to respond after being attacked which resulted, unfortunately, in lives being lost. Many opined that those who are endeavouring to lead the PNC should have shown maturity and responsibility and should not have encouraged the type of activities that have become synonymous with ‘peaceful protest’ by the PNC.
They forthrightly blame the deaths on those aspiring to replace Robert Corbin. As people try to come to grips with what unfolded in Linden, they are realising that things are actually adding up. Greenidge’s endeavours to try and cripple the government, his efforts to sabotage development and to create unemployment, the bruising contest between him and Granger among other factors, can only add up to mean indiscriminate budget cuts and death as he and his challenger plunder their way to the throne without considering the consequences to the people, including their own.