Georgetown: Opposition Leader David Granger dismissed the views expressed by the former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran, that Guyana’s next General Election would yield a similar result as in the 2011 election.
Unlike the view shared by the columnist, Granger said the election results are very much likely to be different.
In his Conversation Tree column, Ramkarran posited that given the status quo of the financial system and its effect on the Guyanese populace, the country could very well find itself with a repeat of the 2011 General Election results, where the combined Opposition walked away with a one-seat majority.
But Granger, at the coalition’s press conference recently, insisted that there is no possibility of such results as the APNU has been hearing from the ordinary man.
“Look at my own engagement in the diaspora, because just the other day, I was in Dundee in Mahaicony and people are listening to what APNU has to say because they feel quite fed up with the way things are going around the country,” Granger told reporters.
And while Guyanese are expressing their concerns, Granger said they are also listening to what APNU has to say. “Constitutional change is desirable in the middle and long-term, but right now, People in East and West Berbice are complaining about the bridge toll, all of the neighbourhoods have problems with solid-waste management, with streetlights and drainage and irrigation. And there are great levels of distress and dissatisfaction in various parts of this country.”
Granger said that he is confident that should an election be called now, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) would not gain a majority. “I don’t agree with Mr Ramkarran, I believe the ground is shifting from under the PPP. It is clear that they are the ones that are afraid of the election. Because they realise that popular opinion is changing. The election results are likely to be very different when we call elections,” he said confidently.
He said too that APNU has promised to establish a Government of National Unity. Granger reported that the coalition already has five parties and is now seeking to extend the area of cooperation by bringing in other interest groups and deepening its commitment to democracy. “Many other persons are coming because it is a partnership that listens. APNU listens to the people in all communities.”
PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee had earlier this week defended the administration’s position on the issue, pointing out that the party has been covering all grounds and was optimistic that major success will be had.
The optimism, he had said, is grounded in the work being carried out by the party. The feedback the party has been receiving, especially in areas where it had suffered losses, has been overwhelming, he said. He noted that “we have been doing some targeting. Our work is more concentrated and more results-oriented,” although the work is not being done at the expense of routine political work.
Rohee pointed out that the PPP is not an electioneering party and although it is set to fight the election, it has not become lethargic in that regard. According to him, members are always on the ground working painstakingly.
“We are set to fight [the] election, yes, but we don’t go to sleep after election and then wake up after the election bell is rung. We are always on the ground,” he said.
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