REBUTTING statements made by A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) youth candidate, James Bond, former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo is questioning the philosophy of the APNU+AFC regarding the association of young professionals with the ruling party.Launching a series of attacks on the ruling PPP/C at a youth rally held in New Amsterdam, Berbice last week, Bond told supporters of the coalition that children of PPP members were “centipedes and vampires.”

This statement was however preceded by Bond remarking, “If yuh pappa and yuh mummah suh cruel to yuh, much (less) the pickney.”

Bond, who is also an attorney-at-law, went on to say that: “What they’re [PPP] doing is creating a next generation of centipedes and vampires to feast on you.”
But on Wednesday last, at a press briefing, the former President sought to question whether these young people in the PPP should be judged by what their parents do. “That is the philosophy they [APNU+AFC] have?” Jagdeo questioned, while adding that, “We [PPP] believe that every generation should progressively do better.”
Continuing in his chain of rhetorical questions, Jagdeo then asked, “So if the sugar worker wants his or her child to study medicine, they shouldn’t? Or if they want to get a degree, they shouldn’t? Is James Bond saying that they wouldn’t be eligible for any position because their fathers or mothers are sugar workers, or rice farmers, or bauxite workers, or security guards or cleaners?”
The verbal attacks leveled against the PPP during recent rallies and meetings hosted by the coalition were also acknowledged by the former president who explained that when these attacks are made, those responsible for them are usually given “a free pass” and are not held accountable for their words. “It is not new, but we should condemn it,” Dr. Jagdeo urged media operatives.
Additionally, having examined the PPP’s National Top-Up list of candidates in its “entirety”, the former President is of the opinion that the list is one which is “inclusive.”
“So what if Luncheon’s daughter wants to follow him into the PPP? So what? Does it mean that we are excluding other people? We have tons of other people on the list…what is wrong with young people playing a role?” Dr. Jagdeo asked.
Furthermore, as it relates to Shyam Nokta, and the criticisms by the APNU+AFC members against him, Dr. Jagdeo explained that Nokta’s father had been a PPP member but he (Shyam) has been doing political work for over ten years.
“Shyam Nokta is one of the brightest environmentalists in the country,” he said, questioning whether this young professional should not have an expectation that if he works hard he should come on the list.
Dr. Jagdeo posited that the coalition’s inability to diversify their list and the fact that it was highlighted by Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon recently, resulted in their attempt to shift attention to the PPP.
“But (if this is the direction they want to go) let’s look at their list too. I hear that a relative of Mr Granger is on the list. I hear the daughter of Rupert Roopnarine is on the list…there are a few others,” he concluded.

By Ravin Singh