Dear Editor,
EXACTLY what is Irfaan Ali, by his latest statement, “If I am a rubber stamp, then the entire PPP/C family is’’, is trying to achieve politically by such a truism is anyone’s guess; except to say that it is a truism. Further, if it is one subtly seeking to convey, or make a case for democracy, then he is a liar of no mean proportion.

Editor, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic has never been more a party shackled by autocratic leadership, a natural, interlinked ally of democratic centralism than it is now. The fact that three very senior party members were abused because they took principled positions on matters such as rampant corruption, and the internal dynamics of the party as it related to the manner of choosing its presidential nominee, among other issues, speaks to the party’s intolerance of internal dissent, and those who are independent- minded. The latter attribute, was sure to have been mainly responsible for Anil Nandlall not being favoured by party boss, Bharrat Jagdeo. It is now a matter of history that two of those members walked away from the party which they had served for over 50 years, while the other was expelled.

One must understand that the undemocratic nature of the party should also be examined and found against the background of the monolithic nature of the party’s support base, built exclusively on the bedrock of racism, which traditionally has always closed ranks without questioning/holding their party leaders accountable on very serious issues, which would have been a constant of the party’s former administration of governance during the 23 years spent in office. The blind and unquestionable support of its mass base has not been helpful in any way to understand that its entire ideology of implicit adherence to party support line, disallowing any opportunity of objectivity as it pertains to the manner of how it conducts business, internally or externally, has continued to drive it deeper into the dark pits of political ignorance. In fact, it is beyond any semblance of rescue from such political darkness, however long its base support continues its muted existence as members, and given the nature of its current leadership – wholly autocratic.

It is a shame that its members would rather have expressed their hurt and despair about their party’s affairs and how they had performed in government in the safety of their homes, rather than publicly within their respective communities and risk being ostracised. Thus, of course, Ali is expressing a self-truth, and one which reflects the manner as to how his party behaves politically. Certainly, he is aware that the manner of his choice as his party’s nominee is entirely out of its tradition of rubber stamping, of which he is a well- known product.
Regards
Aditya Panday