AFTER his interview on the Freddie Kissoon Show, Chronicle columnist, former AFC big-wig and current Chronicle columnist, Leonard Craig, asked me to drop him off in Lodge. While on our way there, naturally we talked about the AFC. Craig was adamant that the AFC leadership while in government, had no intention of ever pursuing meaningful changes to Guyana’s political culture.

My response was traditional when speaking to second-tier leaders of the AFC that complained bitterly to me while the AFC was in power: “So what did you do to change things?” Craig intoned that he was relentless in pursuing the AFC leadership to change their attitude to political power.
He exclaimed: “Freddie let me show you something.” We stopped in Princess Street, near the cemetery where half people roam. There are half people according to the politicians in APNU-AFC which explains why 33 is not the majority of 65. Since there are half politicians, you have to round them off to make whole people.

Craig took out his phone and showed me a long email he wrote to the AFC’s leadership about the abandonment of their promises. It was too long to read plus we were near the cemetery and my mother brought us up to be scared of half people near graveyard. I suggested he email me. With Craig permission, I quote him.
Here is a select part of what Craig wrote: “My disquiet is not due to the passive aggressive browbeat of APNU, my disquiet comes from the troubling contradictory politics of the AFC. The absence of inter-party dialogue (and the non-insistence that it be the main, if not only, vehicle to handle political discourse) is the biggest and most costly mistake that the AFC has inflicted on itself.

“Parties in coalition holding the reins of government operate in two realms representing two different realities (political and administrative) which demands distinct approaches. Collapsing the two into one will lead to major dysfunction in political negotiations and governance.”
Here is Raphael Trotman’s response: “I have read your words twice and wish to do so again tomorrow. At the outset, I believe we are where we are because of a combination of circumstances – some of which are no doubt self-inflicted and some are as a result/consequence of a process that emerges from the dynamics within coalitions. With that said, your recommendations we have received and are considering.”
Here is Khemraj Ramjattan’s reaction: “Excellent analysis Leonard. Dire need for quality personnel like you to take our challenges and run with them.”

Trotman and Ramjattan did absolutely nothing after that email was sent by Craig. In fact, Craig told me that I can quote him that Ramjattan did not like his straight-talking and he was victimised by Ramjattan for that, an identical sentiment echoed by Gerhard Ramsaroop and Rajendra Bissessar.
Two Indian politicians emerged from the PPP and left the PPP and heavily criticised the PPP after their departure – Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo. But both were far worse than anything the PPP and PNC and WPA produced with the exception being Hamilton Green.
In relation to Trotman, what I know would surely get me into legal trouble, but I am at liberty to say he was one of the worst politicians this land has produced.
The AFC deceived the Guyanese people with a fake sincerity that has no parallel in modern world politics. I always liken the AFC to a persuasive, smart serial killer. The woman gets ensnared into his trap because she sincerely believes he is different. The Guyanese people believed the AFC was different. But

at heart, these people were worse than any previous political parties from 1964 onwards.
I don’t think Ramjattan or Trotman had any intention of working on what Craig wrote to them in that email. They brushed him off with fake emotions because that is all they were – fake. I still believe that there is a great misunderstanding in how the PNC and the AFC approached power after 2015. I have heard some uttering from PNC leaders during the coalition that made me believe that if the coalition collapsed then they will live with it.

From talking to them, I felt they were prepared for “bruk up” time. The psychological drive to possess power at all cost and bow down to the AFC just to have it, I did not see in the PNC leaders I talked to after discord emerged between the two parties while they shared power. I found it was the opposite in the AFC. They were really intoxicated with power and would have given the PNC anything it wanted just to stay in power. Such a mentality had to lead to self-destruction.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.