DESPITE “little aberrations”, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) remains united, particularly in the face of impending general and regional elections.This was according to PNCR Executive Member and General Secretary of the Coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Joseph Harmon, who was responding to queries related to challenges the PNCR faces in Linden, which is one of its strongholds.
Last Thursday, PNCR’s newly appointed party coordinator, Sandra Adams, found herself at the centre of another debacle involving Party supporters who are none too pleased with her appointment.
Reports reaching the Guyana Chronicle indicated that last Thursday a ruckus within Party ranks escalated after Adams was tasked with management of the PNCR’s office in Co-op Crescent, Linden, and was entrusted as the sole key holder to the building.
Sources close to the matter related that displeased Party supporters ripped the newly installed door at the office off its hinges, causing something of a disturbance that caused police officers to be summoned to the scene.
“The matter is being resolved,” Harmon said, during a telephone interview, adding that the PNCR’s Central Executive Committee is tasked with addressing the issue.
He added that PNCR Leader, Brigadier (rtd), David Granger is expected to address the progress in the matter soon.
Harmon also disclosed that APNU’s campaign has begun in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).
“We are convinced that we have the support of Linden and Region 10 and are also convinced that the numbers we saw in 2011 will increase in 2016, in terms of support,” he said.

CHALLENGES NOTED
Meanwhile, General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee, yesterday, during his party’s weekly press conference, noted that the PNCR internal challenges have not gone unnoticed.
The most recent problems with PNCR supporters in Linden follow several other issues, aside from Adams’ appointment.
Party stalwart and PNCR Member of Parliament, Vanessa Kissoon, was suspended last June by the Central Executive Committee, following a verbal confrontation between herself and PNCR General Secretary Oscar Clarke – which later led to disciplinary action being taken against her.
After that, party supporters’ expressed their annoyance with the leadership last October, when Granger was chased from the McKenzie High School, where he was holding a meeting with Party stakeholders.
What has been described in the last few days as “Granger’s side-lining of Lindeners” was also the bone of contention during the PNCR’s 18th Biennial Congress last year.
During the vote for key leadership positions, the gates of Congress Place, the Sophia headquarters of the PNCR, were closed to many party members – several of whom were from Region 10 – even as the voting for new leaders was underway. The locked- out members raised concerns over what they dubbed a “rigged” process to ensure that Granger remain in power.
The ensuing controversy saw Mr. Aubrey Norton, a contender for the PNCR leadership, dropping out of the elections after citing serious problems with the election process. As such, Granger was returned as party leader, unopposed.
Additionally, several observers within the PNCR commented to this newspaper that it is evident that the divide in the PNCR continues to widen – a dangerous state of affairs at a time when the country is preparing to head to early general and regional elections, on a date expected to be announced soon by President Ramotar.