AS the secret talks continue between the two opposition parties represented in Parliament about a possible pre-election coalition, leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), the smallest party represented in the National Assembly,Khemraj Ramjattan, has disclosed that for there to be any coalition, it must be led by his party. He told representatives of the media at a press conference yesterday that that was the condition that was put to the other party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). He further said that his party had given itself until the end of this month to complete talks on the coalition with the APNU; and if an agreement is not achieved by then, they will have to decide on a way forward. He opined that the most beneficial combination for a change of Government is an alliance led by the AFC.

Ramjattan said that in addition to the main opposition party, they had also invited other organisations including religious organisations, trade unions and civil society to join hisproposed Pro-Democracy Alliance. He said that Guyanese should learn from the experience of Sri Lanka as the broader the alliance the greater the chance for victory.
Ramjattan had proposed a Pro-Democracy Alliance to be led by his party at the AFC’s National Conference in December last year. They have since sent a proposal to the APNU, after insisting that the APNU sign a non-disclosure agreement.On Wednesday, APNU General Secretary Joseph Harmon said that his party had selected representatives to negotiate the alliance.
Addressing the issues being raised about the date announced by President Donald Ramotar for the holding of General and Regional Elections, Ramjattan opined that there is no constitutional challenge as a result of the announced date. He pointed out that the President has only to work within a given timeframe to make it possible to hold elections on that date. Responding to concerns being raised that the date clashes with the CSEC and CXC exams, executive member of the party, Moses Nagamootoo, said that they are willing to work with that date as they were prepared for elections last year. Party General Secretary David Patterson said that the date should not pose a problem, as there are primary schools that could be used and that they are willing to support the use of private residences as polling places.
Touching on the issue of the abuse of state resources by the ruling party, Dominic Gaskin,Treasurer of the AFC, said that in the absence of legislation to control the behaviour of parties while contesting elections, there is no abuse, but he acknowledged that the party in power has the advantage as they control the resources of the state. Questioned on the party’s failure to introduce legislation to deal with some of the issues complained about in 2011, given that the opposition had a majority in the house, the general secretary said that the party had been overtaken by circumstances.
Party Leader Khemraj Ramjattan said that the party will have to hold a national conference to elect its presidential and prime ministerial candidates. Regarding the dates by which this will happen, he explained that the party is awaiting the dissolution of Parliament and the official proclamation of the date for elections before finalising those issues.