Dear Editor,
Attorney General Nandlall slammed Dr. Bertrand Ramcharran on the latter’s characterisation of the current PPP government as governing under ‘shades of autocracy’. Nandlall claimed that the PNC government under Burnham and Hoyte were autocratic. There are shades of autocracy under this government and Nandlall forgets that he complained he was a victim.
Burnham and Hoyte manipulated internal party elections. Didn’t the PPP leadership do the same at last May’s internal election. The Central Committee’s vote was set up. The Convention delegate system was rigged. Nandlall, himself, and others cried foul as the voting was rigged. Isn’t rigging a shade of autocracy?
Burnham forced government workers to attend party rallies and government events. Hasn’t the PPP been doing the same? The PPP held two youth conventions this month. Part time workers under the $40,000 monthly, ten days unemployment relief scheme, were ordered to attend the youth convention or face termination. Isn’t that a shade of autocracy? Weren’t Amerindians under that scheme also ordered to attend the PPP convention last May and instructed how to vote?
The PPP has a battery of letter writers under government payroll, including one in the state newspaper earning a million monthly, writing favorably on this government and to attack critics as well as to tear apart critiques. Isn’t that an abuse of power and another shade of autocracy?
Public hearings were not held and the public was not consulted to find out views about projects in communities around the country. There are repetitive complaints in the media about how projects impact people’s’ lives and their views are not considered. Isn’t that a shade of autocracy? When the President and Vice President tell people to shut up and sit down at public events and press conferences, is that not a shade of autocracy?
When the President refuses to answer questions posed by reporters, isn’t that another shade of autocracy?
When people are victimized for voicing their opinions, isn’t that a shade of autocracy?
And there are many more examples? So, Mr Nandlall, you are wrong. There are shades of autocracy under this government. It is hoped that the US is paying attention and would add ‘shades of autocracy’ as another factor to invoke to revoke visas of Guyana government officials as Washington did regarding Venezuelan autocrats.
Yours truly,
Lincoln Chase
