–Yuh see wha’ happen in St Lucia recently?
OLD Kai well and truly believes that the pressure is definitely on in the joint Opposition camp. The increasing evidence of their inadequacies has ushered in an air of insecurity among their ranks, further fuelled by dissention, with some ambitious ones lining themselves up, should there be a leadership shakeup.QUOTE: Old Kai has learnt that moves are apace quietly by an underground clique within the Opposition…and there will be some surprising casualties inside both the APNU and AFC. This silent power struggle may have serious repercussions, because of some of the players involved.

Old Kai has learnt that moves are apace quietly by an underground clique within the Opposition to force this change, and there will be some surprising casualties inside both the APNU and AFC. This silent power struggle may have serious repercussions, because of some of the players involved. I will give you a hint when I mention the ‘Trojan Horse’.
This situation was far from expected three years ago, when the opposition leaders were projecting themselves as alternative leaders for our country. Their constant attacks against the PPP/C Government during that time had managed to shift focus away from their limitations. However, increasingly, they have run out of excuses, and now have nowhere else to hide.
In the past two weeks, their credibility has been dealt two shattering blows, first with their failure in their stronghold of Linden to effect a ‘shut down’ campaign in the community. Then the more damaging of the two came with the Chief Justice ruling that the opposition has been engaging in an illegal practice all along, by cutting the 2012 Budget (and the 2013 Budget), thus withholding developmental assistance for citizens from the PPP/C Government.
Opposition supporters seem to have accepted the fact that their leaders appear to have run out of ideas, which has given rise to their increasingly outlandish actions, such as threatening to ignore the High Court ruling. Their frail and aged leader, David Granger, is becoming less conspicuous in the media, with some arguing that he is trying to distance himself as much as possible from the ineptitude, and hopes this will be enough to ensure he survives the impending shakeup.
On the other hand, there are those who are contending that age is finally taking its toll, and the rigors of the job is proving too much for the man who once played a crucial role under Burnham’s dictatorship.
Over in the AFC camp, whispers indicate that there is increasing mistrust between two dominant factions within the party, even though both try very hard to pretend that all is well in both their professional and political life. Apparently, while some have silently agreed on who should be the next presidential candidate, there are those who feel otherwise, and are trying in vain so far to justify their logic for choosing someone else.
There will also be an attempt soon to save face by replacing two or three of their MP’s. At least one of the new faces will be an individual who has been critical publicly of the ‘clique’ mentality in the way the party is being run at the leadership level. These cosmetic changes will, however, not be enough to stem the tide of rising resentment among members and supporters of that party, who currently feel that their leaders are operating like ‘runaway trains’.
The public admission, by a senior leader, that supporters are beginning to refuse to fund and support the party a few months ago, should have been a wakeup call, but, sadly, the leaders (including the individual who made the announcement) are solely focused on acquiring and maintaining as much power as they can get their hands on, and are in no state of mind to pay attention to the wishes of their supporters.
Those yearning for change are taking note of what recently occurred in St. Lucia, where members of the opposition United Workers Party revolted against their leader, Stephenson King, and replaced him with Dr. Gale Rigobert as the island’s new leader of the opposition.
As I pen this column, I have received word that a major financial contributor to the opposition camp has decided to cut ties with them after their refusal and subsequent walkout from the Parliamentary Sub-Committee deliberations on the Amendment of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill. The individual is apparently peeved at their efforts to keep the Private Sector from independently monitoring the proceedings during these meetings.
The PPP/C Government has been contending that the joint Opposition has been teaming up in the Committee to stall the process, using the flimsiest of excuses so as to ensure Guyana is blacklisted, and sanctions take effect. Other entrepreneurs who previously supported and financed the Opposition are said to be in a state of shock at this latest development, and have vowed to make their concerns ‘felt’ when the appropriate time comes.
It is now fitting to conclude with the phrase coined by George Santayana and made infamous by Jim Jones: “Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.” Jones has this quotation posted high atop his wall at the People’s Temple. Just in case anyone missed it, a photograph of Forbes Burnham was next to it!