PNC-R leadership battle…

–Ubraj Narine points to concerns of marginalisation; party’s risk of losing more ‘talented’ persons

DESPITE Chairman of the People’s National Congress-Reform (PNC-R), Shurwayne Holder stating that the party business should not be aired in the public, individuals within the party are now saying that there are forces “silencing” them from talking against the current leadership.

Latest to join the infighting is former Mayor and PNC-R member, Ubraj Narine who has questioned whether the party truly welcomes persons of Indian descent.
Recently, members within the party have seemingly developed the tendency of using Facebook to hound and take jabs at their fellow comrades.

While Holder has said that he will not back down from his statements made towards former party General Secretary, Amna Ally, Narine has said that he is still waiting for the leadership of the PNC-R to “condemn certain parts of the statement issued by Chairman Shurwayne Holder.”

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the PNC-R Chairman said that he does not believe Ally has “the moral authority to say who is unfit to lead the party”.

Narine, in a Facebook post on Friday, responded to Holder’s statement by saying that this incident raises “pertinent questions about the PNC’s stance towards internal dissent and the representation of individuals from different backgrounds within its ranks.”

He then went on to defend the party stalwart who Holder had accused of attempting to divide the party.
“As a concerned member of the PNC, one is left pondering the consequences of challenging the party’s leadership. Will any member who dares to step forward be labelled as a supporter of the rival party, the PPP? Furthermore, does the PNC truly welcome individuals of Indian descent, like myself, under its current leadership?” Narine questioned.

This sentiment comes at a time when the incumbent leader, Aubrey Norton has accused persons within the party of having a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) agenda. The PNC-R leader’s capabilities have since been questioned by Ally, who hammered him and spoke out against his leadership.

Deeming the accusation against Ally as a “puzzling scenario,” Narine then asked: “How can someone with such a long-standing commitment to the party suddenly be deemed a supporter of the PPP?”

He then delivered a blow to Holder and boldly stated: “It seems that the Chairman, Mr Shurwayne Holder, may lack a comprehensive understanding of the party’s history particularly that of our esteemed founder leader, Forbes Burnham, and the PNC itself.”

While emphasising that the PNC was built on principles of “inclusion, unity, and embracing diversity,” Narine went on to say that for anyone within the party to label any individual who seeks to challenge the party leadership as a supporter of the PPP/C is not only “unfair but goes against the very principles” the party was founded on.
He then pointed out that dissenting voices against the current leadership are being suppressed.

“Rather than stifling voices of dissent, it is essential that the PNC embraces its diverse membership base,” he said in the post.
Narine then went on to say: “The PNC’s leadership should recognise that fair criticism and the pursuit of excellence are not synonymous with disloyalty. In fact, they are crucial to maintaining a thriving democratic culture within the party. By silencing dissenting voices, the PNC risks losing talented individuals, stifling internal growth, and alienating potential supporters.”

Moreover, the PNC-R member took a jab at Norton who has been holding on to power and has not yet announced a definite date for the overdue congress. He also brought to light a number of violations that have been occurring within the party.

Narine said: “Congress has been overdue since December. That is four months and counting. Other aspects of the constitution, like monthly meetings and quarterly councils, have also been violated. Instead of attacking Amna, why not demand that the principles and articles of the constitution of the PNC be upheld? Why not direct attacks on government corruption instead of attacking Amna?”

He said that it is important for the party to address the concerns raised by “loyal members who feel marginalised due to their Indian heritage or desire to challenge the party’s leadership.”