OLD KAI thought the AFC had publicly announced that its proposed no-confidence motion against the PPP/C Government was enjoying popular support among its membership; but lo and behold, it was almost a whisper when the party signed the motion and delivered it to the Clerk of the National Assembly.They invited the media to these events, obviously hoping to get the public’s attention; but no one apparently bothered to ask the AFC leaders where was their membership.
With all the zest the AFC leaders led us to believe that their membership was enthused at the prospect of a no-confidence motion, one would logically expect that hundreds if not thousands would have come out to accompany their leaders to Parliament buildings, even more so, since by now we know this grouping is all about theatrics.
So why not even a handful of supporters?
It appears that their no-confidence motion has not been well received by the membership and supporters, or possibly they were not even consulted at all before the party made such a decision.
This would explain why disgruntled members who are continuously streaming out from the party have described the leadership cabal as a runway train, operating akin to a mini dictatorship.
Those remaining are fully aware that the leadership deficiency of both their leaders and those from the PNCR=APNU have been comprehensively exposed; their record in parliament since enjoying a combined one seat majority over the PPP/C underlines this fact.
It is telling that despite their criticisms, they have not managed to come up with a single viable alternative to programmes and policies being implemented by the PPP/C Government in any sector.
Rather, they have been comfortable resorting to grandstanding, as apparently they are of the opinion that it will continue to be effective in influencing some voters, as was the case in the 2011 elections.
They have not taken into consideration that despite enjoying a parliamentary majority, they have made absolutely no effort to honor any of their pre-electoral promises and supporters have taken note.
What they have done instead is reduce Guyanese to ‘collateral damage’ in their unquenchable thirst for power, and unending drive to undermine the Government. Maybe this is why the AFC made no effort to go into its support areas and consult citizens on its ‘no-confidence’ plan; as it is well aware that it would have had to face the people whom they have admitted are simply pawns in their political game.
They are simply afraid of rejection this time around, and this talk of ‘no-confidence’ was simply a clever rouse to gauge the level of support they would likely receive.
The signals from the public is a negative one; even critics of the Government had voiced their displeasure, warning them of the consequences; therefore it is easy to see why, despite the disclosure that the PNCR=APNU had joined the bandwagon, they do not seem in a hurry to pass the motion in the National Assembly.
We are hearing from the Opposition that the motion will be debated and passed after the end of the Parliamentary recess which is several weeks away. With their majority and the fact that they also have both the Speakership and Deputy Speakership positions, they can push back the recess and pass the no-confidence motion, thereby paving the way for fresh elections.
Old people say, ‘Yuh play dead fuh see what kind of funeral yuh will get’, which aptly describes the current actions of the AFC and PNCR=APNU. The problem for them is that they have gotten so caught up in their game that there is no turning back now, especially after the PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee and President Donald Ramotar called their bluff.
They are fully aware that they cannot compete with President Ramotar in a next election, which is why David Granger is so eager to team up with the AFC to lighten the impact.
The Opposition needs to now tell the nation why they have ‘no confidence’ in a Government whose fiscal management policies, despite their obstructionist agenda, has resulted in Guyana being projected to record another year of economic growth which will be one of the highest in this part of the world.