– urges Guyanese to hold new government accountable
One day after President David Granger announced his list of candidates for the 12 Parliament, former minister in the APNU+AFC government Jaipaul Sharma has announced his retirement from politics. The list did not include Sharma who was originally from his father Justice For All Party. During the elections campaign Sharma had joined the People’s National Congress Reform.
“As the mantle of leadership passes, I humbly announced my retirement form active politics and writing this was not easy, even though I know it’s been coming for a while now. After all, all good things come to an end, but what a journey it has been and I feel nothing but pride and happiness writing this statement,” Sharma said in a facebook post.
He added: “My fellow Guyanese, whom I was fortunate to serve for five years as a Minister of Government. Thank you for the privilege of serving you in public office which has allowed me to lead by example. I have tried to serve our citizens diligently at all times, however, I was not always successful in getting the necessary assistance to resolve the complaints of everyone but I hope my responsiveness has weighed favourably against my failure in getting you a favourable outcome to your concerns.”
Sharman noted that “I want to say one final thank you for the honour of serving as your Minister and Member of Parliament. Because all that I’ve learned in my time in office, I’ve learned from you. You made me a better person and a better leader.”
He said throughout the seven years in politics the citizens were his source of kindness, resilience, and hope from which “I’ve pulled strength.” “I have often say that I am the luckiest person on earth for the opportunities I had to serve in the National Assembly. In the 10th and 11th Parliament of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, I feel that way even now as I prepare for the end of my active political life. I have loved my political life, all of it. I have had experiences, adventures and friendships enough to satisfy me for a lifetime and I am so thankful to you our supporters of APNU+AFC.”
Sharma urged Guyanese regardless of the political party they support that they should be vigilant and watchful of the government, that they remain committed to full filling their 101 promises and that they remain democratic and transparent. “This must be the work of all citizens. Not just when there’s an election, not just when our own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime of the government. Remember the single most powerful word in our constitutional democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We the People. We shall overcome,” he ended the missive by saying.
There has been some fallout from Granger’s choice of MPs and those who were excluded. However, the former President in a statement Tuesday said the composition of the list of candidates extracted to be representatives in the next Parliament is the face of the future and will empower a new generation of leaders. He said the PNCR has always advocated that young people are essential to Guyana’s development. “An integral task of leadership is to groom and mould the leaders of the future. In this regard, the PNCR has demonstrated, more than any other political entity in Guyana, that it is prepared to take the bold and decisive initiative to prepare for the future,” Granger noted.
He said on Leader numerous occasions, he said that young people must be prepared to take up the mantle of leadership. He alluded to an address he made to the first annual Youth Empowerment Summitwhen he said “you (young people) will become the muscle and the brains of this nation… you need to be provided with the knowledge and skills needed to transform the nation.” Granger said the PNCR has kept, and will continue to keep, its promise to the youth of Guyana.
For the PNCR, Granger said public service, not merely parliamentary service, is the priority. The party he said has been listening to its members and supporters and is aware of what is happening in the towns and villages all across the country. “Providing service to the people is our priority and our new parliamentarians and elected leaders at all levels will be expected to actively serve and represent their various constituencies.
We are rebuilding and strengthening the PNCR. Our Party will be 63 years old this year and remains committed to making Guyana a more socially cohesive nation. The PNCR is convinced that greater national unity and a strong and united party will bring greater national benefits for all the people of Guyana,” the PNCR leader said. He said the new parliamentarians, along with senior leaders and members of the PNCR will fan-out across the country to rebuild and strengthen the Party in advance of the upcoming local government elections.
“The PNCR made a contract with the people of Guyana 63 years ago. We shall continue to fulfill our obligation to the nation both through the legislative process in the National Assembly and in the country at large. We will continue to work with other parties; trade unions; private sector and civil society to realise our common quest to make Guyana one nation. Our Party is continually renewing itself to give voice to people from every part of this country and every part of our great diaspora, ensuring the ‘good life’ for Guyanese,” he added.
