By Mark DaCosta- In a Thursday press conference, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo sharply questioned the rationale behind the Alliance For Change’s (AFC) recent push for a bipartisan multi-year development plan. Jagdeo dismissed the proposal as a strategy to mask the AFC’s lack of substantive policy ideas, particularly criticising its leader, Nigel Hughes.
Jagdeo emphasised that his party, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), already has a comprehensive development agenda that transcends electoral cycles. “We’re the only political party that has a laid out plan that goes beyond election cycles,” Jagdeo asserted. He highlighted substantial investments made by the government in critical sectors, pointing out that in 2024 alone, $129 billion was allocated to health, $135 billion to education, and $90 billion to wage and salary increases.
The Vice President was scathing in his criticism of Hughes and the AFC. “He [Hughes] wants a cover for the intellectual bankruptcy of that party… they have nothing to offer… let them talk about what he has to offer in detail… not ‘oh we have to draft a plan together,’” Jagdeo said. This remark underscores Jagdeo’s perception that the AFC’s call for a joint development plan is a ploy to obscure its lack of concrete policy proposals.
Observers have frequently noted Jagdeo’s intense animosity towards Hughes, suggesting that this hostility has been particularly pronounced since Hughes assumed leadership of the AFC. Jagdeo’s attacks on Hughes have been relentless, contrasting sharply with his relatively subdued criticism of Aubrey Norton, leader of the larger People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).
Analysts speculate that Jagdeo perceives Hughes as a significant threat to his influence over the burgeoning oil and gas sector. This theory is bolstered by the fact that Hughes’ law firm, Hughes, Fields & Stoby, has ties to ExxonMobil, a major player in Guyana’s oil industry. The suggestion is that Hughes’ professional connections might enable him to challenge the PPP/C’s dominance in this crucial economic area.
This latest exchange comes amid broader political and economic challenges facing Guyana. The country is experiencing rapid economic growth due to its oil discoveries, but this has also led to intense political rivalry and scrutiny over the management of newfound wealth.
The AFC’s call for a bipartisan approach to development planning could be seen as an attempt to address these concerns. By advocating for a joint effort, the AFC aims to present itself as a responsible and collaborative political force. However, Jagdeo’s response suggests a deep-seated reluctance to share the reins of power or acknowledge the contributions of rival parties.
Jagdeo’s comments may reflect his continued desire for a monopoly on control and his disdain for the opposition’s proposals. However, the Vice President’s aggressive stance may also reveal underlying insecurities about his party’s hold on power and the potential for rivals to disrupt their agenda.
