Rohee will consider being Opposition Leader; PPP still uncertain about Parliament

By Fareeza Haniff

It has been approximately three weeks since the PPP’s defeat at the May 11 polls and to date the Party is yet to appoint its Leader or even its Parliamentarians. For weeks, the General Secretary and other officials would only say that they are in “consultations” but could not give a deadline for the alleged consultations.

And this was the case again on Monday, June 08 at the weekly press conference at Freedom House, where Rohee reiterated that the PPP is yet to name its Parliamentarians. This is the case of the country’s Opposition even though the 11^th Parliament convenes on Wednesday, June 10.

“No decision has been taken as yet in respect of extraction of names of persons to go in the Parliament and the consultative process continues,” Rohee said.

When asked if he would be interested in being the Opposition Leader, Rohee said, “they call the General Secretary the Primus inter pares [meaning first among equals]…that is a decision that the Executive and Central Committee will have to make, I don’t want to say anything further on that matter.”

He further noted that he will consider the post, if it is offered to him. Meanwhile, as it relates to the Party’s future in the governance of Guyana, Rohee confirmed that the PPP/C received a letter from Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, but was quick to point out that the letter did not address issues of inclusionary governance.

He noted too that the letter did not come from “government” but was signed by Harmon, in his capacity as General Secretary of A Partnership for National Unity.

“As a political party we are soon to respond to that letter. It seems to us when we talk about inclusionary or national unity; in the letter they are talking about Parliament, not government,” Rohee clarified.