THE Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition has failed terribly to move away from the horrendous record of the People’s National Congress as regards dictatorial conduct.

I would like to highlight the nature of these parties with reference to democracy and their concern about the needs of the people. I would like to point out that these parties have been riddled in a past of undemocratic actions, dictating to the National Assembly, and showing no concern where the needs of Guyanese are concerned. I find striking similarities between the ‘old’ PNC, the now PNC and the AFC.

The PNC, before 1992, presided over Guyana in a dictatorial manner. They employed an authoritarian philosophy and led Guyana into its dark age. The Guyana created by them lacked true freedom of expression. They led Guyana into an era of infrastructural, educational and social failure. Guyana was gripped by shortages of food items, racism and giant debt crises.

In order to maintain their stranglehold over the people, they continuously rigged elections.
There have been allegations from Balwant Persaud, Sharma Solomon and Africo Selman on the undemocratic and dictatorial conduct of these two parties. These parties are yet to defend themselves in a mature manner. As Minister Anil Nandlall highlighted, every PNC party election has been littered with accusations of rigging. Undemocratic behaviour is no stranger to this party. It was also recently disclosed that the AFC cannot account for funds amounting to Gy$21 million. The coalition itself was not discussed as a party. Only the blind and deluded cannot see the parallels.
The ‘old’ PNC also dictated to Guyana in a similar fashion as the AFC and APNU are now trying to. Africo Selman, in an interview, spoke out on her support for some government projects. The AFC and APNU however dictated over the National Assembly, over the past three years. The AFC and APNU abused their powers to cut projects that would have benefited Guyanese significantly.
It showed the adoption of the ‘old’ PNC’s total control and total- power philosophy. Ms Selman also claimed that she was subjected to verbal abuse from the Chief Whip of the PNC, Amna Ally. I would like to point out that this is very similar to the bullish attitude of the PNC when they were in power.
Former AFC member Balwant Persaud spoke of the dictatorial conduct of the “gang of five” of the AFC, with regard to the managing of the party. How can dictatorial forces effectively manage a democracy?
The alliance has also showed lack of interest in the needs of the people. The AFC and APNU claim that we as a country need their alliance now. Frankly, we do not need an alliance; we need hydropower, a modern airport and a specialty hospital. Why were we robbed of them? Why do we have to wait on an alliance to do it? What makes an alliance doing it better than the current government’s bringing it to fruition?
It is plain old selfish politics. If the PPP/C carries out these projects, it will reflect well on the ruling administration. They chose to rob the people of this, because they do not want the current administration to appear in a good light. I am sure that they will table some of these very projects if they are in government.
This coalition shares an enormous amount of parallels with the PNC of old and the members fail to be apologetic for the actions of the PNC. Instead, they celebrate the legacy of the old PNC, while hiding under the curtains of a new name. The political alliance of the APNU and AFC has not abandoned the legacy of the old PNC; it instead follows a similar path.

DAVENDRA KISSOON