THE Alliance For Change (AFC) is constantly shifting position in relation to forming a coalition with the main opposition grouping, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), but the latter grouping has confirmed the commencement of talks with the AFC in regard to coalition, and has disclosed that it is now awaiting a proposal for the two parties to form a coalition to contest upcoming regional and general elections.

At a press conference held at the office of the Leader of the Opposition on Hadfield Street, Opposition Leader Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, confronted with a question regarding negotiations between AFC and APNU in regard to forming a coalition, responded: “Yes, we have [begun talks]”, and went on to disclose that his party has been in constant contact with the AFC, and they “will be meeting in a few days” to facilitate the presentation of a proposal from AFC to APNU in regard to the coalition between them. Discussions will also be facilitated through this forum, he said.

Prior to this disclosure, AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan had told the Guyana Chronicle in an invited comment: “We will be dealing with it shortly; I don’t want to make any further comments,” referring to the coalition proposal.

Against this backdrop, though, the same AFC leader had told the Guyana Times earlier in the week, “It is nothing of the sort,” which was taken to mean that the two parties had not yet discussed the matter or sought to engage each other in discussions.

In another twist to the plot, Ramjattan, through a Facebook post in the group ‘Alliance For Change,’ had stressed that AFC, as a single party, poses more of a threat to the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) than if they were to form a coalition.

Asked to comment on APNU’s strength as a single party, as compared to the strength of a coalition, Granger had disclosed at his November 21st Press Conference that he is of the belief that a coalition between the two Opposition parties stands a better chance of putting the ruling PPP/C party out of power.

The uncertainty in positions and the constant shifts in their declarations come at a time when President Donald Ramotar has announced that general elections are likely to be held in the first quarter of the upcoming year.