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 Despite the refusal by the Alliance For Change (AFC) to join forces with the main opposition Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) in a pre-electoral alliance, four other opposition parties are still keen on a “broad platform” to contest the 2011 polls.
“The meeting agreed that the future of the citizens of Guyana was too important, at this time, to put the process on hold.
Consequently, the process would be advanced, notwithstanding the decision of the National Executive Committee of the AFC.,” the Joint Opposition Political Parties (JOPP) said in a statement on Wednesday.
The JOPP members are the PNCR, Guyana action Party GAP), National Front Alliance (NFA) and the Working Peoples Alliance (WPA). The NFA is already in partnership with the PNCR and its leader, Keith Scott is PNCR-One Guyana’s Member of Parliament. The AFC has in the past repeatedly pointed out that it has a close working relationship with GAP.
The JOPP, which had included the AFC, was first established to compile a dossier of extra-judicial killings and pressure government into holding an independent commission of inquiry. Calls for that probe have been flatly rejected by government on grounds of insufficient evidence.
Demerara Waves understands that AFC’s leader Raphael Trotman and executive member David Patterson briefed the yesterday’s meeting of the Joint Opposition Political Parties (JOPP) on the decision not engage in a an alliance and then left.
The JOPP has since echoed the AFC’s intention to court a new civil society grouping that plans to bring a new brand of politics to the country in its quest to contest the 2011 general elections.
A technical team, representing various stakeholders, has been tasked with crafting a Statement of Principles to guide wide-ranging consultations.
“This draft Statement of Principles will be the subject of discussion with interested parties during the process of consultation.
The details, such as the structure and modalities of the proposed broad partnership, would be finalised with the full participation of all interested parties,” the JOPP said in a statement.
Tuesday’s meeting by the JOPP was previously put on hold to await the now well-known AFC position on alliances.
“The consensus is that the development of Guyana and the future of its citizens demand urgent progressive action which must involve all who are concerned about Guyana,” said JOPP.
The informal opposition grouping plans to consult all interested political parties, trade unions, religious and cultural organisations, business organisations, professional organisations and other civil society groups.
The AFC has rejected any idea of a pre-poll alliance with the PNCR or the incumbent Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPPC),saying that it would violate its core principles and injure its identity. However, the party says it is also taking into consideration the minority view that it should not shut the door to an alliance with either of the two major parties.
AFC Chairman, Khemraj Ramjatta, who was the first to publicly rule out an alliance with the PNCR, had only recently said that he had “come around” to the importance of an alliance.
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Comments
I am very disappointed by the latest move by AFC to shut any form of UNITY GOVERNMENT involving the existing political parties.
The AFC is overestimating their electoral strength and even if they were strong - what is important at this time is our national interest, and not greed and power.
This new group that is referred to - are a bunch of unknown - I know some of them. They are rich men and hardly better than some of the people that comprises what is called the AFC - they all want to get their hands on the treasury - to rob the country, as this current lot - under the "invincible" Jagdeo. Just, stop for a moment and think about it.
What we need is g[censored]roots’ politics - a government led by the people, for the people and that will only come about - when we agree to a RADICAL PROGRAMME, which has policies that can lift the poorest in society out of the present poverty and demeaning situation that they are now forced to live under.
It must be a National Unity government - that must effectively be led by the largest organised workforce in the country - trade unions and the farmers’ movement - led by farmers’ organisations, the backbone of our country. Those of us who are engaged in the farming industry will not tolerate a rich man’s paradise - let that be know to all and sundry!!
This is the surest way of guaranteeing a progressive, prosperous and sustainable development. Guyana has the greatest prospects of becoming one of the most prosperous countries in South America, if it were to capitalise on the radical economic and social developments, led by Brazil, Venezuela and the rest of South America.
Jinnah Rahman
This party can very well be the viable alternative.
Lets face it the PNC brought the country to its knees. The PPP/C did exceedingly well with what it had to work with and its record stands to see.
Jinnah must be smoking something!!! If the AFC ever joined the PNC in any type of alliance, might as well kiss the party's future goodbye.
A more sensible partnership, if any should be brokered with the PPP/C.
The AFC must seriously rethink it's current stance.
P
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