– Leader says he couldn’t handle the political pressure
By Lisa Hamilton
Former Prime Ministerial Candidate of The New Movement (TNM) Gerald Forde tendered his resignation from the party on Thursday citing reasons such as alleged close ties with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the formation of factions and character assassination internally, undemocratic principles and failure to think critically.
Forde, in a letter to the party’s Secretary, Dr. Daniel Kanhai on November 5, said that he had hoped the party would be the change that Guyana needs but now, he realises that only God can save Guyana from its problems.
“As a youth fed up with the system and one of the founding members of TNM, it was my hope that a new generation of Guyanese could put aside racial politics and blind party loyalty…however, after a controversial election The New Movement have become inept. This is largely due to faction formation, character assassination within the leadership of the movement, undemocratic principles by Dr. Kissoon and Doerga, along with mixing private and selfish interest with national politics (Guyenergy). Some leaders of the political party have aligned too closely to the ruling PPP (post-election) and has caused corruption of the internal politics of The New Movement with members losing the ability to think and act critically and independently for fear of souring their relationships. This action persists despite numerous internal debates on these issues,” Forde said.
He said that the TNM has “fallen into the curse of the older parties” and that he could no longer be associated with it. Contacted by Village Voice Guyana about the matter, Leader of the party, Dr. Asha Kissoon denied all criticisms leveled by Forde and noted that his resignation has been accepted.
She acknowledged that party executives have had their internal disagreements but said that those who truly want to be on the frontline of politics must be able to withstand the tough times.
“Politics is not for everybody and if there are some people that cannot deal with the pressures of internal affairs and run, how could they lead a country?” she said. Pressed further about the allegations and what likely spurred them, Dr. Kissoon revealed that there were recent disagreements about what stance the party should take on the treatment of essential workers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Gerald Forde was working with Patrick Yarde [Guyana Public Service Union President] trying to rally up protesting and strikes against the government with the healthcare workers and I couldn’t accept it because it would give The New Movement a bad name. There were various things he wanted to happen and used the party for those motives and we could not accept it,” she said.
Several TNM Executives, including Kissoon and Forde, are health workers. The TNM Leader said that choosing to support the Government on this and other matters is different from aligning with the Government. She also highlighted that the party has long stated that it would give its support to which ever Government is elected.
Notably, after the PPP/C took Office, Dr. Kanhai was appointed as a Director on the State Board of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Dr. Kissoon said: “Whether it was APNU or PPP we had to work with whichever Government was in power. So, to have a claim that you’re close to the PPP is senseless.”
Meanwhile, regarding GuyEnergy, a local company for which Dr. Kissoon serves as the Local Director, the TNM Head said that the business remains separate and independent from The New Movement. “Gerald Forde is bitter because he was not invited to be a part of that,” she stated.
Dr. Kissoon says that Forde will always be welcomed back to the party should he change his mind and she wished him the best in all his future endeavors.
