Dear Editor
I had great difficulty reading one of the most politically slanderous letters, carried in the media, titled “Why I cannot support David Granger” in the Stabroek News dated February 23, 2020. The challenge came about, not because of the shock and surprise that such descent to depths of criminal defamation could have been concocted, by any person. But that they had the boldness to actually offload such poison, using all the cleverly written style that sought to appeal to the subliminal, in efforts to prove truth.

But yet again, I reminded myself that this trenchant vested interest representative, is now a full-blown associate of the PPP/C, that confirmed its public fact, with his nomination by the PPP/C as a possible candidate for the then chairperson of GECOM, but became a full-blown fact when he gave his legal representative services to the party in the now historical No Confidence Motion case that was decided on by the Caribbean Court of Justice(CCJ), and with other secondary aspects of the case, that was heard in the High Court. But enough of this introduction to the shocking somersault of Christopher Ram, already known, especially by the man in the street, as one who has realigned himself with ethnic politics, bought for a pint of oil.

Editor, this is a particularly undisputed conclusion, which Ram would be hard pressed to defend, as he had once been considered one of the voices of the national conscience, who condemned the corrupt and politically lascivious PPP/C, even becoming the target of Bharat Jagdeo, whilst president, who branded him in a very derisive manner. But since this response is to his obnoxiously written “Why I cannot support David Granger”, this purpose must be attended.

First, it is unbelievable that Ram would dare accuse the President of the Cooperative Republic, of not doing anything for “healing and consideration’’, accusing the gentleman, of being more ‘’divisive than disappointing”, complaining that instead of policies and strategies to bring the communities closer…a tendency towards narrow ethno-centric policies.

Correctly, Ram makes reference to the fact that the coalition secured just a one-seat majority in a “hugely bifurcated society”. Of course, he is correct. But it is a situation which President Granger immediately recognised in one of his very early addresses to the nation. Commenting on this fact, he pointed out, without any attempt at allowing the coalition’s victory to cloud his judgement, as to what such a very narrow margin of a win means, he said that It clearly illustrated how divided a country “we are’’, and that as a result, he was extending an invitation to the political opposition for unity talks.

One is certain that Ram is aware of such a statement, and Jagdeo’s subsequent rejection, especially on the grounds, alleging that since the government had been persecuting Indo-Guyanese members of his party, such a proposal was not feasible. Now, this was rather dishonest of Jagdeo who may have hoped that the president abandoned the auditing exercises, and prosecution of those fingered in the numerous auditing reports. But that was part of the new morality which became a fact during the degutting of the nation’s material resources, during which those who stole, expected not to pay for their criminal deeds.

Let me travel further to expose the dangerous duplicity, hypocrisy and pretense of a political weathercock. Ram should know, as one is certain that he does, that any discussion of unity in a deeply divided society has to involve especially both sides of the major political divide, and inclusive of the allied cultural stakeholders. This has to be part of the larger whole of a national conversation that involves every region, and communities within; since no one-half can expect to do it alone. This is a fact which Jagdeo fully understands; but being uncooperative, continues to suit his political purpose and agenda of divisive behavior, since he is a master of using this to foment ethnic insecurity, as a means of holding his party’s support base. In fact, Ralph Ramkarran is on record in one of his Sunday columns around the same period, of applauding President Granger for such a positive suggestion, going on to suggest that should Jagdeo refuse the offer, then the President should take the issue directly to the people. And did not Ram, on many occasions, during the PPP/C regimes of Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar, condemn the unfair treatment of discrimination meted out to Afro Guyanese? And did he expect such a dangerous ideology to change, especially against the background of Jagdeo party’s defeat at the 2015 polls?
Secondly, in supporting the constitutional dictates of Local Government Elections, President Granger not only saw this very seminal instrument as returning the power of decision-making to the communities and their citizens; but also as a process whereby, working together, irrespective of ethnicity/political affiliation, Guyanese in every region will gradually become appreciative of each other, understanding that such diversity, actually makes for a better cohesive society.

It further explains why, at the insistence of President Granger, that there exists a Ministry of Social Cohesion, that have been instrumental in taking many national initiatives, to the different administrative regions, for a better togetherness of all our peoples.

Let it be said, that even among PPP/C supporters, there is deep appreciation, if not, grudging respect for a president who has never uttered a word of racism or attempted to heighten ethnic insecurities among our different ethnic groups. All through the nasty provocations, especially via the social media trolls, and the treacherous NCM, despite being aware of who were the major political criminals in this now infamous Judas affair – President Granger led Guyana, without resorting for any kind of comfort, or garnering support from such a dangerous reservoir such as race. Instead, he has continued to encourage our people to strive for a better Guyana, through unity and peace. Ram, for all of his propaganda, which is seeking to give public endorsement to a party which has practiced racism by marginalizing an ethnic group of Guyanese, led by a candidate of immense dishonest proportions, should be ashamed of his unfounded crap and PPP/C propaganda. Let Christopher Ram tell this nation, through any media, what has Jagdeo ever done, especially since 2015, to foster a better, unified Guyana. But this is what oil has done to a lot of masqueraders, mercenaries and pretenders – further corrupt their souls.

Regards
Carla Mendonca