– say gov’t MPs, coalition supporters in wake of passage of no-confidence motion

By Gabriella Chapman and Tamica Garnett

AS Alliance for Change (AFC) Member of Parliament (MP) Charandass Persaud uttered the word “yes”, chaos erupted outside the Public Buildings.

And with good reason, as contrary to what was expected of him as a member of the government, his was a vote that was in favour of the no-confidence motion brought by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) against the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government.

So it was small wonder that Persaud’s response came as a total shock to the crowd of people, as they were already rejoicing in confidence that the PPP/C’s attempt to take over will be shut down.

Before the commencement of the session on Friday afternoon, right through to the end result in the evening, the APNU/AFC coalition supporters flocked the barricades around the vicinity of the building, clad in their bright green and yellow, waving posters and placards.
Combing through the crowd, the Guyana Chronicle spoke with some of the persons to garner their perspective on the motion.

One said, “the no confidence motion should be brought against Bharrat Jagdeo because he failed to realise that in the House right now, his party only has 32 seats as opposed to the government which has 33 seats.”

Another said, “Jagdeo is a man who believes in public mischief. There’s nothing of any kind of substance in regards to what he’s into. What I have found is his desire for power, and not being a part of the money in this oil thing, it seems to be running this man mad.”
An elderly woman said, “I would like to see the government, if it is permissible, to bring forward a no-confidence motion against him (Bharrat), because he should not have been the Opposition Leader.

“By right, Mr. Ramotar should have been the Opposition Leader, and the fact that he is sitting there right now, it shows that he’s a bully. And in this country, we do not need bullies; we need to get rid of him.”

A young woman who looked like she is in her teens said, “I don’t think that the opposition will be successful with this motion, because we can see all the developments we have received and all these things.

“We have full confidence in the government. I believe that our government is fit and proper. Our president may be a bit ill right now, but we are confident that he will come back to great condition so he can lead this country.”

A DRASTIC TURN

The day took a drastic turn for the happy people. Returning to get their sentiments after the decision was passed, the people were in a rage and were screaming harsh words. Some were even in tears, wailing at what they saw as “a betrayal”.

Speaking again with the supporters, one man said in a disappointed tone, “Charandass chooses to support the AFC party because he would have had no confidence in the PPP. He came to government by virtue of the coalition. Charandass came to the Parliament and he chooses in the 2015 elections to support the coalition against the PPP.

“But as a venomous snake, come into this Parliament with a no-confidence motion brought from the opposition towards this government and voted yes.”
A crying woman said, “They were there for 23 years, and all of the things they are talking about, they have done it worse.

“This government has been there for just over three years and look at the improvements we have seen; more than what they have done in 23 years.
“I know the government is not perfect, but they are trying; and they have done enough for three years. You know how many people jobs on the line there? I can’t believe Charandass!”
“

The coalition government will be reelected government of this country,” another woman said confidently. “The youths have confidence in this government. What happened just now was a total payout, and I understand that it’s all part of politics. “When a coalition government is working together, what you have to understand is that the minority will always have some dirty game to play. That is what transpired just now, and it’s a fact that we have to accept.

“All we have to do is start working from now to ensure that our party is re-elected into power.”

Several Ministers and Members of Parliament came out to console the broken people. They (the people) were urged to regroup and come stronger. “Focus” and “be smart and don’t resort to violence,” were some of the advice they were given.
“We beat them once and we’ll beat them again,” Minister Simona Broomes said to cheer up the daunted crowd. They then started to beat their drums and chant “we shall overcome.”

REELING IN SHOCK
Persaud’s about-face also left many government Members of Parliament (MPs) reeling in

shock.
Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) MP, Jermaine Figueira, who was sitting next to Persaud at the time, was the first to question him seconds after he voted in favour of the motion.
Figueira thought that perhaps Persaud was confused as to what he was supposed to say if he was voting against the motion. However, seconds later, Figueira’s greatest fear was confirmed, when Persaud declared that he was making a “conscience vote”, and reaffirmed his stance with another three yeses supporting the motion.
“I was shocked! I thought he didn’t know how the government was voting; that’s why I touched him I said, ‘Charandass?’ “Obviously, I was dumbfounded! Flabbergasted, to say the least!” Figueira said, adding:

“I really wanted to know if he didn’t hear how the other MPs for the government were voting, so I touched him. I said, ‘Charan, is no we saying, so why is it you’re saying yes?’
“And he said, ‘Is a conscience vote.’ And I said, ‘Is not a conscience vote. You are voting the position taken by the government, which is not to support the No Confidence Motion. This is not time for a No Confidence Motion.’
“He looked like he was somewhat puzzled; perplexed. We all were shocked, due to the fact that we had a caucus before, and there was no dissenting voice.”

ELECTIONS
With the motion now passed, according to the Constitution, the government has to call elections within 90 days (three months) or at such a time that two-thirds of the National Assembly agrees with.

In the event that the country must go to elections in the first quarter of next year, Figueira is confident that the coalition government has the support of his Upper Demerara-Berbice region, notwithstanding a low turnout at last month’s Local Government Elections (LGEs).
“We have to come to the realisation that a comparison of LGE and national elections is totally two different elections,” Figueira said, adding:

“I am very much confident and persuaded that the people of Region Ten understand the importance of us retaining the government. And I am very much confident that they will give their unwavering support to us when elections are called.”
His sentiments were echoed by Essequibo Island-West Demerara’s MP, John Adams about the hosting of early elections next year. Adams believes the APNU + AFC government’s track record will speak for itself.

“All has not been lost,” Adams said. “I’m positive that what we have done as a government so far the Guyanese people are going to judge us.
“Despite what the opposition would’ve said, people have not forgotten what the PPP administration did in their 23 years in government, so I have all confidence that the Guyanese people are going to judge us when we go to the polls.

“And I’m positive that we are going to be victorious again as we were last time around.”
Like Figueira, he, too, is left reeling from Persaud’s blow to the party.

“It was unexpected. I thought he made a mistake since everybody else was voting yes, [but] then he said yes out three times which confirmed what he was saying and as his colleagues we were saying: Charandass, what’s wrong? What’s wrong? He was bent on saying yes. Then I said well Charandass is with the opposition and as long as he voted with the opposition we knew that it would’ve been 33 against 32 and that the motion would’ve been carried,” Adams noted.