The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has intensified its campaign against embattled businessman Azruddin Mohamed as he continues his nationwide listening tour, widely seen as a test of support for a potential presidential run.
On Tuesday, during Mohamed’s visit to Berbice, a known PPP stronghold, he was met with a protest organized by the party, which reportedly included 10-day workers. These workers, allegedly instructed to protest, carried placards and verbally confronted Mohamed.
The protest escalated during Mohamed’s visit to Letter Kenny, Berbice, where PPP supporters, who were allegedly led by Region Six Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain, disrupted the meeting. Hussain was reportedly overheard ordering his agents to physically assault Mohamed’s supporters, which led to a confrontation in which one supporter was struck.
The incident resulted in the arrest of Terrence Moore, although a video showed that the PPP supporter, identified as Indira Jafarally, had attacked Moore first. Moore was arrested, questioned at the 51 Police Station, and later released after the video was reviewed.
Dr. Veersammy Ramayya, who was part of Mohamed’s Berbice outreach, confirmed that the protesters were part of the PPP Government’s National Pathway Workers Project, which employs over 15,000 people, including the 10-day workers who earn $40,000 per month. These workers, who are paid by taxpayers to “assist government agencies in various roles.” This also includes doing partisan political work as serving as the PPP attack dogs.
The workers reported that they are often threatened with punishment if they voice dissent against the government. Mohamed told the crowd in Berbice that he also spoke to some of the protesters, who admitted they had been instructed to disrupt his visit.
Several confirmed they were bused in from New Amsterdam, with one attendee advising that she, as a 10-day worker, could face retribution for attending Mohamed’s meeting and criticising the government.
Mohamed’s team later confirmed that the protesters were not from Letter Kenny but had been transported from Freedom House in New Amsterdam, Berbice.
The Berbice protest adds to a growing pattern of dissatisfaction with the PPP government, even among its own supporters. Earlier this year, former PPP ally and Region Six Rapid Response Taskforce Coordinator Dr. Ramayya resigned, citing corruption and what he called “the worst corruption” in the party’s history.
As Mohamed’s tour gains momentum, he has become a vocal critic of the PPP’s economic mismanagement, discriminatory practices, and growing inequality, issues that resonate with many Guyanese, who feel ignored by the government except during election periods. People are also allowed to vent their feelings.
This rising support has unsettled the PPP, which has traditionally relied on the loyalty of the East Indian community, despite ongoing governance concerns. PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo has taken a combative stance, regularly attacking Mohamed and his family, despite their past financial support to the party, including a recent $20 million donation.
Meanwhile President Irfaan Ali who is a friend of the Mohameds –Nazar “Shell” and his son, Azruddin- has remained silent.
What started as a peaceful engagement with citizens has turned increasingly volatile. Last week, Mohamed faced protests from PPP supporters during his visit to the Essequibo Coast. His community meetings have now become flashpoints in the intensifying tensions between Mohamed’s supporters and the PPP, which seems desperate to stifle the businessman’s growing influence.
