Dear Editor
LURED into politics by disgruntled power seekers and known critics of the PPP/C, Azruddin first gained notice and attention by travelling the country, distributing gifts to residents along the way, a house here, an e-bike, or wheelchair there, he quickly earned the praises and admiration of recipients of his generosity.
Drowning in wealth, many thought he was following in the footsteps of his father, a known Guyanese philanthropist who donated portions of his huge, accumulated wealth to worthy causes and organisations.
But the flamboyant pampered son soon maneuvered his way into the world of national politics, declaring his candidacy for Guyana’s presidency through the formation of the WIN party. Like any dedicated father, Mohamed came out in support of his son.
Given his access to, and generous utilisation of wealth, Azruddin initially experienced little to no difficulty in attracting crowds to his rallies, most of whom apparently eager, or allegedly paid to welcome the “new kid on the political block.”
Lavished with praise by opposition forces, Azruddin gladly embraced some of the anti-government advocates into his WIN party fold.
Soon thereafter, anti-government advocates such as Chris Ram brazenly compared Azruddin to the legendary historian Dr. Walter Rodney as if to boost the former likability and political ascendancy.
However, Azruddin himself soon proved Ram, not only wrong, but ridiculous. For, unlike the eloquent and brilliant Rodney, Azruddin’s bumbling speeches became publicly evident, and his inability to command the attention of attendees at his campaign rallies readily surfaced in their inattentive behavioral displays, and early departures from the events.
In addition, his paternal uncles, disquieted by his entry into politics, voiced their apprehensions in supporting him pointing to his lack of qualifications and political immaturity in vying for the presidency.
Furthermore, his fiscal irresponsibility, evident from his possession of luxurious cars and other material possessions, coupled with his flaunting of wealth publicly – through gifts and cash distributions – gradually invited increasing scrutiny.
As the days and weeks of political campaigns continued, Azruddin’s lack of knowledge of government, governmental relations, parliamentary functions, developmental policies, international relations, geo-politics, diplomacy, and race relations etc., became burdensome to his candidacy and political campaigns.
Feedback voluntarily provided, called into question the very title of his WIN party – We Invest in Nationhood – with some questioning Azruddin’s proficiency in “building” nationhood when he does not understand multiculturalism in a heterogeneous pluralistic society, to which a few added that he supports hostility and divisiveness. So how can he build nationhood, they asked?
Now, in the waning days of political campaigning, the beleaguered Azruddin’s political stardom seems to have received another blow, this time from PPP/C leaders’ continued efforts to extol the benefits of developmental policies to all Guyanese.
For example, during their re-election campaign speeches in Lethem, both the President and Vice President linked the benefits the PPP/C policies of national development to the benefits these brought to families, individuals and communities.
In so doing, the Vice President and President energised attendees and reaffirmed their support come election day. In promising to increase familial support through augmentation of financial allotments to children and aging adults, campaign attendees walked away pleased that they are not ignored or being left behind.
And, with the WIN party promising tremendous increases in cash grants, one wonders how prudent such a promise is, especially since the government’s coffers can be likened to one’s bank account, savings, or income.
It is accrued incrementally – not all at once – and budgeted in accordance with the various needs of the country similar to how a family budget for food, clothing, children’s schooling, amenities, family emergencies etc.
If a family spends all its financial resources at once, it places family members at risk. Even Azruddin would not give away all his money because such would most likely put him and his family at risk.
Correspondingly, it would be foolhardy for the PPP/C government to deplete its revenue by distributing huge sums to the people.
This would most definitely bankrupt the country and result in a national crisis that negatively affects every citizen. One wonders whether Azruddin understands the principles and value of good governance. And the way he squanders his family fortune attests to his fiscal irresponsibility, a disqualifying trait of governmental leadership and an abomination to Guyana’s electorate.
When taken as a whole, the information presented attests to the declining political stardom of Azruddin. Premature? I think not. Azruddin’s dwindling public appeal and disapproval would become glaringly evident on elections day when voters reelect the PPP/C and thereby relegate Azruddin into the abysmal darkness of has-been politicians.
Regards,
Narayan Persaud, PhD
Professor Emeritus