Dear Editor,
The unpopularity of the government is growing especially among traditional supporters. They are repulsed by increasing corruption. Marginalisation of Hindu contractors in getting contracts and of Hindu culture are also problematic for the administration. The government is not addressing that problem. But that was never a deterrent to re-election. The incumbent looks least concerned about retaining its base support in next year’s general elections.
The ruling party knows how to bring back stray away or disenchanted voters from the flock and unite them against the opposition. All it need do is fund racial violence and or rapes as it did in earlier elections and the base runs right back into the fold.
In 2011, much of the base moved away from the incumbent. The party was suffering huge losses. Then there was the organised rape of two Indian females by two non-Indians at the burned-out Royal Castle, lonely spot, in the Stabroek Market area. The victims and their families and the Indian community blamed the race of the perpetrators. Much of the public till now have not been in the know about the organising of that particular rapes unjustifiably blaming a race when it was organised by a man who has been presenting himself as a cultural icon. Because of that rape incident, many of those who thought of voting for the AFC returned to their home party.
The man who organised the rape, who paid the rapists, was rewarded with a Ministry, albeit a junior one. Expect more of that kind of incident next year as the party loses support in its base. Expect also personality attacks on Indians who associate with the opposition or become part of a third force. The diplomats should warn against that kind of sponsored rape, violence, incidents, and personality attacks for political gains. That Junior Minister should have had his visa cancelled by the ABCE countries. And those who carry out propaganda attacks against budding politicians should also be punished with cancellation of visas.
Yours truly,
Roopchand Sharma
