[www.inewsguyana.com] – By Ralph Ramkarran – As if the political controversies were not enough, the rains and inevitable floods brought more woes to the populace. But while the floodwaters and rain will slowly recede, giving way to spring harvesting, our political landscape remains stubbornly arid.
The presidential letter has gone out but the opposition political parties remain adamant – no talks unless the prorogation is ended. The problem with this response is that it contradicts the Opposition’s intention to table the no confidence motion as soon as the prorogation is ended. If there cannot be talks while the prorogation exists, but only if it is ended, what would there be to talk about if a new no confidence motion is to be re-tabled, as promised?
In political conditions of the most adversarial kind, confidential lines of communication exist to resolve issues or contradictions such as outlined above. Channels of communication between the PPP and PNC, apart from the official, have never existed and have never been encouraged, up to the time that I can speak with authority. The leaders have never tolerated even trusted advisers maintaining contact with the other party to facilitate confidential communication or negotiation. Some of this has to do with the distrust that exists between our two main parties. Much of it had to do with our style of maximum leadership, operating under the guise of collective leadership, which is inherently hostile to a system of diffuse responsibilities.
There is, therefore, no way by which my plan could be presented in confidence by the Opposition to the Government so as to resolve the contradiction in the Opposition’s position, as outlined above, unless President Ramotar and Opposition Leader Granger, both sensible leaders, have had the good sense to alter the situation.
To repeat my plan, it is that the Opposition offers to the Government that it would be prepared to have talks as soon as the prorogation is lifted, but that the agenda of those talks would have to be, firstly, the composition of the coalition government that would be established within a specific time frame of weeks and, secondly, the agenda for the Government and National Assembly.
If this proposal is made by official communication, or by any public means, it will be quickly rejected even though President Ramotar might well be sympathetic to a proposal that would allow him to complete his term with solid legislative achievements, which would improve the chances of the PPP/C being returned with an absolute majority. If offered outside the glare of publicity, he may respond outside the box, and positively so.
Hopefully, by Mr. Granger recently mentioning of his support for a national unity government, the Opposition has begun to see the wisdom of either resolving the crisis in the only way that is possible. If the latter rejects them, it would have to explain to the Guyanese people why it is not interested in unity as a means to address the political stalemate. It would have to explain why it is interested in new elections only to restore majoritarianism, a doubtful prospect and, if it succeeds in its quest, to rule as before under a system that for Guyana is now discredited and cannot be indefinitely sustained.
The fact of the matter is that there are seasoned leaders in both political parties who have imbibed a diet of suspicion for decades and are adamantly opposed to any association with the other side. But we can save the pain of another round of bitter contest that will restore the same situation. The vote of the PNC/PNCR/APNU has been stable at about 40 percent except for losses to the AFC in 2006, which it recovered in 2011. The AFC has 10 percent, which can go up or down, but most observers see it going up for the time being. A coalition is not on the cards for the opposition parties. The PPP is at 48 percent but sees a restoration of its majority, which is a possibility but is also heavily disputed. We are therefore looking at a return of the same situation, as now prevails, or a discredited majoritarianism, both breeding the same disfunctionalities.
If the type of solution being offered here would have any prospect of advancement, the leaders of the main political parties must be persuaded to support the necessity for change, not by moral suasion, which will not succeed, but by the hardheaded realities of continuing post-election gridlock upon a future no confidence motion. They must be convinced that a national unity government would be a popular choice.
If so convinced, they must be prepared to exercise the power of leadership at their command and cease pandering to negative forces within their own ranks. The day is either near or has already arrived when political parties will no longer obtain absolute majorities at elections.
To dream that the past glories of majority support and rule might return, would be a pleasant exercise in reminiscence of halcyon times, but hardly a realistic prospect for the future. Therefore, it behooves us, our leaders and our political parties, to seize the time, show leadership, negotiate a political solution, create our own ‘historic compromise,’ and fulfil the promise of 1950.
Nicely said Rick. Ramkarran is full of hog shit. When the goat couldn’t reach the grapes, he said he didn’t want it because it’s sour. It would be asinine for the PPP to even entertain the thoughts of having a coalition with the opposition. Grainger has proven time and again that he has no interests in Guyana’s progress or developments but for the power. Grainger has a history from the original PNC and lately has proven that he’s not even good for his own party. So, for Ramkarran to ask for such coalition is totally absurd and he’s ostensibly seeking a position in the govt. within the opposition.
andrew u eat too much burnom horse shit lol
Andrew U will kill your own self soon hahahahahhaa
Destroy them Gray will be thinking of voting for PNC,,but he might go AFC,,I am very sure he not voting PPP,,,,crime,,,lets see an early election, I am sorry for this guy gray,,he confused,,to the MAX. Oh even if you have to swim,float,or the ferry come for you,,,go vote you true heart ,,,remember the country full of pee pee pee,,
Curry mouth,,,its time soon for you to vote,, remember you have to put yo finga on the part that got the PALM not the cup ,,,I can tell how much you love the PNC and i think you should change your blogs ,,post something anything but let it be a wise comment,,the readers all know how stupid you are by now,,,please vote PNC not any other party ,,,Granger will make you a minister, you will be the first to fill the minister position as BULL SHIT min,,,and i will need a job when u get the position,,,i will be your body guard not like the one soba get,,,and i will advise you on how to do a good job ,,we all know u na bin school,,
AFC you are up! show the PPP/C what you are made of. Dent their support base. Show them finally the people are tired of the abuse by taking their supporters. You have said a lot, including that you do not want to join the APNU. Fine now do your thing. You are the only party that can really do damage to the PPP/C. You are up AFC!! it is your show now..
The PPP/C cannot lose.
Elections and let the chips fall!
At least those spiteful and arrogant AFCites will feel the pain of Tain.
Tain must not be hoodwinked again.
AFC will continue to be the fifth wheel of the PNC/APNU wagon.
hemendra.
One must never allude them self into a false sense of illusion that there is a ” split” in PNC with regard to Linden.KIT & KIN is very much alive and well in Guyana.
When push comes to shove they are all one. Trust me on that.
The only plan Granger has since you asked me is to fool the fools that shows up to hear him preach.
Granger only palavering for those that shows up at the square of the revolution to make it appear he is digging in and fighting for them when in fact Granger fighting for his political life.
Deep down in Granger’s heart he and and his small band of revolutionists know they cant win elections once its free fair and transparent so look for PNC threats PNC intimidation and PNC violence after elections are held.
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Andrew the PNC crablouse crabdog who hate collie and who eats bunom horse shit must join in now..
Ramotar got the opposition exactly where he wants them. As for Granger he is on the high seas, lost and making utterances typical of an “arm chair general”. If the PNC intends to survive, this Granger guy has to be removed. I guess Ramjattan is practicing his “do a Janet” move. The AFC will loose more votes this time around. The PNC may improve only if Carl Greenidge takes over the reins. In this case they will regain the confidence of Linden.
Despite Ramkarran’s analysis, the PPP will return with a majority.
Mr. Ramkarran, I’m trying to read between the lines here. I notice you didn’t say the President was right or wrong to prorogue parliament, neither did you insist that the President reconvene parliament, so that the opposition can bring an end to the tenth parliament with their foolish/childish NO CONFIDENCE MOTION. I notice you tried to be a little fair and balance in your piece. Are you hoping that you will be called upon to be one of the mediators between the democratic Government and the PNC? One thing I know for sure, and that is you are way more intelligent as a former speaker of the house, than Trotman who does’t know where he stand. Where is Trotman now? How far is he from his chair? Who pulled out the chair from under him? Who put him in that predicament? Is it Nagamottoo, or Ramjattan? Who are the GOATS now? How many goats are there in the AFC? Are the AFC goats still leading the PNC? What makes you different from Trotman? How can Trotman be so stupid to make so many, many mistakes? Is he that stupid? All those lawyers in the AFC are a bunch of disgrace to GBA. Single handedly Anil has over, and over, and over again made those AFC lawyers look like fools. Could it be that those arrogant lawyers caused Anil to behave so bad? Anil behave bad like the AFC clowns. The wise President of Guyana is fully aware of the opposition game plan.
PONTIFF,IF YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY YOU WILL REALIZE THAT YOUR “PLAN” WOULDN’T WORK. IN 1997 JANET AGREED TO TAKE TWO YEARS OFF HER TERM AND MAKE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM IN WHICH EVERYONE HAD AN IMPUT. SEVENTEEN YEARS LATER THE PNC STILL GRIPING ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION THEY AGREED TO AND STILL CALLING FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM. COALITION GOVERNMENT? WHO TOLD YOU THAT THE PNC WANT COALITION GOVERNMENT? YOU ARE SAYING, PONTIFF, WHAT GRANGER DIDN’T EVEN SAY. ANYWAY, COALITION GOVERNMENT FOR THE PNC IS JUST A CONVENIENCE TO GET THE REINS OF POWER AND THEN TO DUMP THEIR HAPLESS PARTNER. DIDN’T BURNHAM IN 1968 DESCRIBE THE UF, THEIR COALITION PARTNER, AS A MILLSTONE AROUND HIS NECK? NOW ,PONTIFF YOU WANT RAMOTAR TO TAKE TWO YEARS OFF HIS TERM TO FORM COALITION GOVERNMENT WITH PNC,SOME THING THE ELETORARE WAS NOT CONSULTED ABOUT AND SOMETHING THAT THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PERMIT? LET ME PUT SOME SENSE IN YOUR HEAD, PONTIFF, THE ONLY THING THAT WILL SATISFY THE PNC IS ABSOLUTE POWER.NOW YOU KEEP THAT AT THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD, PONTIFF. “THOSE WHO FORGET THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST ARE BOUND TO REPEAT IT”
The opposition has to heart for this country and its people, they are up for their own gains and selfish desire, can they explain with a honest heart why did they objected to : 1. The hydro , 2. The speciality hospital, 3. A modern hotel, 4. A modern airport , and the list can go on and on…..but you the opposition are backward and with no creativity and most of all un-progressive ! If all these dreams are being realised, isn’t it true that all our people will benefit? No matter…..creed , class, political affiliation, skin colour, after all, remember this , we are one people one nation with one destiny. May God have mercy on your soles, you the opposition!
So what is Granger’s plan? If he goes to election he would have to win 1/3 more votes than the previous election. With the Linden split and the power hungry members from AFC, APNU stand to loose 1/5 of the votes from the previous election. If I was Granger then I would prefer to keep the Parliament alive and let my voice be heard in a more democratic way. I would trow my plan on the president’s table and to the people but the sad part is Granger don’t even have a plan.
“Seize the time and negotiate a political solution!” – Ramkarran tells Ramotar, Granger.. Ramkarran is one who hate Ramotar because he Ramkarran power hungry..The PPP bruck up the day Jagan died. Those who born in PPP thought they have the inherit right to rule and Ramkarran is one of them..He is no different from Nagamootoo..Ramkarran should cross over now since his sole is left to wonder.
Granger have no political negotiations ability. That is why he will not agree to negotiations. As for Ramjattan he don’t even know what negotiations are.