RACIALLY divisive comments represent a scourge that has “reared its ugly head” in recent days, according to Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, who categorically stressed that they have no place in the local political arena.The occurrence he referred to was manifested by comments made on a local television station in Berbice, Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) by members of the coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)/Alliance for Change (AFC).

REMINISCENT OF PNC
During his weekly post-Cabinet press conference, held at Office of the President, yesterday, he drew the nexus from the comments made to the characteristics of the former People’s National Congress (PNC) regime, which includes bullyism and intimidation.
Dr Luncheon also underscored the fact that the Alliance’s prime ministerial nominee, Moses Nagamootoo, who “spoke and wrote” about the racial divisions perpetuated by the PNC, has “embraced” the group he “reviled” in the “not so distant” past.
Nagamootoo, himself, has come under scrutiny for comments made at a public meeting a few weeks ago, where he stated that the AFC could give APNU the 11 per cent of the Indian votes, to clinch a majority at the upcoming polls.
“APNU is like a large umbrella that has attracted large numbers of people, particularly Afro-Guyanese. But APNU cannot win an election alone, APNU needs to have a strategic alliance with the church and the trade unions and other groups and the AFC could bring in the eleven per cent,” he said at a public meeting held in APNU’s stronghold, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam.
The alliance’s prime ministerial candidate subsequently denied having said this. As a mean of clarification, he later said, “If you want to cross the line and have majoritarian Government in Guyana, you need eleven percent. The Alliance For Change has a strategic role in elections where there are two parties to the contest.”
UNACCEPTABLE
The Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) acknowledged that in an ethnically diverse population, as well as a “less than ideal” political culture, such occurrences are expected.
However, he stressed that there ought to be no place for such comments in Guyana and added that Cabinet at its weekly meeting on Tuesday, registered its concerns over the resurfacing of such a phenomenon.
Dr Luncheon stated too that racially divisive practices must be “extinguished” in Guyana’s society, in the interest of preserving the gains of democratic advances.
“The PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/Civic) has been and continues to be an arch enemy of racial incitement,” Dr Luncheon said.
Concerns over racial divisions have added weight, given that Guyana is two months out of the upcoming May 11 General and Regional Elections. The electoral process since 2001 has been marked by a level of peace, a welcome change, given the country’s history during such periods. (Vanessa Narine)