–‘clever campaign’ to displace Norton clear to any observer, VP Jagdeo says

TROUBLE is brewing in the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) camp, as there are clear efforts by senior members of the party to displace Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton.
Already faced with allegations of corrupt practices and racism, Norton now has to contend with apparent internal plans to oust him from his position.

A recording of what appeared to be a conversation among senior members of the PNC/R discussing internal matters, surfaced recently on social media.
Referencing the recording, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo said: “Norton has bigger problems and it is a den of cut throats in there [PNC].”
He went on to say: “So, his problem is not the PPP now, his problem is in his own party… because from the revelation of the tape that followed the resignation of the treasurer, one could clearly discern a clever campaign at displacing Norton.”

The Vice-President said too that the tape reveals too how duplicitous senior PNC/R members could be.
Amidst the internal power struggle, the party has appointed Dawn Hastings-Williams to be new General Secretary.

Reports are that the party made this decision, casting aside purported GS hopefuls, Ganesh Mahipaul, Mervyn Williams and Simona Broomes.
The announcement comes after the resignation of Geeta Chandan-Edmond from the position following months-long leave.

When Norton was asked during the conference what led to Hastings-Williams being chosen for the position over other persons who were in the running, he told members of the media that it is not the place of his party to say what the factors that led to her appointment are.
He then said that she was academically qualified and acquainted with the party’s constituents.

The party has seen the resignations of two of its leaders recently including that of Chandan-Edmond and its treasurer, Faaiz Mursaline. Mursaline reportedly left as a result of issues in relation to financial mismanagement and reported racial discrimination.

Meanwhile, Chandan-Edmond reportedly resigned after being on leave from the position for months and following concerns that she was not allowed to fully function in her capacity as General Secretary.