BY now, most readers of Kaieteur News are familiar with the venom that is spewed almost on a daily basis in the Freddie Kissoon column. Why is this man allowed to poison the minds of your readers is as mysterious as the person who conducted the ridiculous poll that suggests “former President Bharrat Jagdeo is the one most favoured to be the PPP/C presidential candidate for the next general elections” (Guyana Chronicle, March 20). It is ludicrous to believe that this “poll” was ever conducted at all. As a matter of fact, I am convinced that this “poll” is fabricated to cause mischief within the PPP/C. It will not succeed.

Bharrat Jagdeo is barred by the Constitution of Guyana from ever becoming President again. Therefore, to invoke his name with others in a poll question to determine “who is most favoured to be the PPP/C Presidential candidate for the next general election,” clearly shows ignorance of the Constitution. And for anyone to suggest that this so-called “poll” was conducted by the “combined Opposition” must be new to the world of politics. No opposition party or combined opposition would release the findings of an internal poll that clearly shows results unfavourable to them. Do anyone believe that Khemraj Ramjattan would agree to release the embarrassing findings of a poll that shows if a snap election is called now, his party, the AFC would only secure 7% of the votes, less than the “undecided”? I don’t think so. And would David Granger release the findings of a poll that gives APNU 37% of the votes compared to 46% for the PPP/C in an upcoming election? Even Freddie Kissoon cannot believe David Granger would be so naive. Is there a conspiracy among some to discredit the leadership ability of His Excellency Donald Ramotar? Quite possible, for politics is a dirty game. But one thing is certain… the PPP Executive stands firmly behind the President, and so do I.
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo demitted office since August 2011. He has served his country well and should be proud of it. He is committed to serve in an advisory position or as a roving ambassador undertaking special missions if asked to do so by our President. This is not a novel idea. All former Presidents of the United States serve their country in similar capacities if asked to do so by the current President, and Americans are not opposed to that. In fact, they expect former Presidents to do just that. Why then are some so focused on Jagdeo that they fail to see all the development taking place throughout the administrative regions that are improving the lives of so many Guyanese?
Freddie Kissoon is nothing more than a rabble-rouser doing the dirty work of the opposition. Sources familiar with Kissoon suggest he may well be on the payroll of the opposition parties. Of course, I have no way to determine the validity of this insinuation. But reading the Kissoon column as I sometimes do, I often ask myself: “How can anyone hate so much, day after day after day?” Isn’t there anything that this PPP/C Government has done since 1992 that would be appreciated by Freddie Kissoon? Yet he lives in a very big house in an affluent neighbourhood, has an income, drives a vehicle, and abuses the very freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution and protected by the same people he libels: The President and Ministers of his Government.
Surely Kissoon is much better off today than under the notorious PNC regime that bankrupted the economy, making it impossible for him to achieve the level of success he now enjoys today under the PPP/C.

HARRY GILL