–attempts to defend party’s ‘inclusivity’ by saying other races were given ‘senior positions’
THE People’s National Congress-Reform (PNC-R) continues to dodge the allegations of racism and marginalisation, as Chairman of the party, Shurwayne Holder said that those allegations will be dealt with “internally.”

With several Opposition members coming forth and questioning whether the party really welcomes those of Indian descent, Holder was questioned about what is being done to address those claims.

During a press conference on Thursday, where the Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton was nowhere to be found yet again, Holder responded to these allegations and refuted them by implying that this is not true since the party gave different races “the most senior of positions.”

“We’ve always had different races in the most senior of positions,” he said while using former Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine and former party General Secretary, Amna Ally as examples of this notion.
Noteworthy is the fact that both Narine and Ally are the ones who had cited the worrying trend in the PNC-R, where persons of Indian descent appear to be sidelined, especially if they go against the party’s current leadership.

Holder, however, in an attempt to debunk the allegations of racism, put forth the argument that Narine held the position of Georgetown Mayor although mostly Afro-Guyanese reside in the city.
“I submit to you that these [claims] are baseless, they cannot be substantiated.

There was no evidence to say that,” he said.
While the allegations of racism in the party are not new, the PNC/R member Narine last Friday called 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”.
In support of this sentiment, Ally referenced two situations, the first having to do with Geeta Chandan-Edmond being forced to resign as PNC/R General Secretary.

Chandan-Edmond reportedly resigned from her post after growing concerns that she was not allowed to fully function in her capacity.
Sources familiar with the situation had told the Guyana Chronicle that Chandan-Edmond had “endured” a lot before throwing in the proverbial towel.

Secondly, Ally referenced the former PNC/R Treasurer Faaiz Mursaline, who, in a previous interview with this publication, said from the time he assumed the position of elected treasurer he was made to sign blank cheques with no supporting documents. In November 2022, he signed as many as 20 blank cheques.

“It is clear that he [Norton] sidelines everybody,” she said, adding: “Since Norton come in, he says one thing but he does something else and it is clear, I just told you about all those resignations, all are Indian. So, what reflection does it give?”
In response to Ally’s implication, Holder said: “You cannot look at everything as race.”

Further, he said: “The persons that they alluded to, who would have resigned, had issues. They had their own issues why they would have resigned.” However, those issues were not highlighted.
Holder went on to say: “If an Indo-member believes, whether it’s false or true, they feel a particular way. I don’t want to exacerbate the issue… and so I respectfully put to you I wouldn’t comment on it no longer. We will deal with those issues internally.”