POLITICS, because of its adversarial and opportunistic nature, emits the expected responses from its chief players.

For example, opposition groups are particularly known to zero in on virtually every issue that occurs, whether significant or not, conveying to their constituents that they are equal to the task of representing their best interests, in addition to making the Executive accountable.
This is general of such groups, since their modus operandi is always to project themselves as alternatives in government.

But being more specific to the Guyana scenario, there is a peculiarity that has become a part of the Opposition’s political armoury – that of pointing accusing fingers at the Government for all sorts of unsubstantiated reasons, with corruption being its favourite ball.
One may recall the frenzied Opposition attacks on the PPP/C administration as it related to the period of the National and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) issue. In the end, the Opposition did not prove its crazy and groundless case. It should be recorded to date, as being one of the most glaring periods of Opposition attempts to destabilise the nation.

But there is another trait for which the political Opposition is known, already mentioned in prior editorials – being convenient, and demonstrating double standards, inherent of the dark practice of hypocrisy.

Recall the allegations of sexual abuse levelled against Mr. C.N. Sharma with all its lurid details? Now add the perennial and chronic issues of mismanagement and corruption at City Hall, especially the last investigation, that unearthed definite criminal theft and other related irregularities. There is also a current report that has been publicised of another allegation of financial impropriety surrounding a Japanese grant of $15.5M at City Hall, this time involving the city’s Mayor.

Has there been  an Opposition response to the first two of these well publicised instances? Absolutely not! And the same line of deafening silence is likely to be maintained on the latter.

But there is a distinct, common denominator that must be noted in all three cases. It must be reminded that Sharma’s Channel Six is the welcome media conduit for both parliamentary Opposition parties; whereas, the current City Council is made up of PNC majority councillors that are the core of the APNU constellation.

Regardless of the inherent political affiliation, the issue of sexual abuse is an extremely serious social issue, very chronic and prevalent within the Guyanese society; more so when it involves allegations against a political party leader, as the CNS proprietor is purported to be.

This APNU constellation is on record of pronouncing on this deviancy on numerous occasions, but has failed to do so on that occasion because of who is allegedly involved! The same finger must be pointed at the Alliance For Change (AFC) – stony silence on all the issues as mentioned above!

What has been occurring at City Hall for so many years are gross theft and racketeering – wholesale corruption. Such should solicit the unequivocal condemnation of any responsible political Opposition. Yet, the APNU coalition mostly, and its junior partner, the AFC, have applied the convenience of silence to a festering situation that has assisted greatly in compromising the city’s environment.

But this is the parliamentary Opposition that continues to refuse to criticise its friends on any matter of wrong-doing, no matter how very serious.