The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has issued a blistering condemnation of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP) for its growing use of political violence and intimidation, accusing the governing party of fostering a climate of fear and thuggery to maintain control. The WPA was apparently referring to recent political harassment of businessman Azruddin Mohamed by PPP/C supporters, including leaders and workers paid by the state when he visits so-called PPP strongholds.
In a scathing press statement, the WPA charged that the violent actions of PPP members and supporters were a direct result of the party’s inflammatory rhetoric and unchecked aggression over the past five years. The WPA claims that the PPP has systematically attempted to dominate both the State and society through coercion, leaving a political opposition and civil society powerless in the face of this escalating autocracy.
The PPP’s leadership, “led by its General Secretary [Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo], has left no doubt about its violent intent in pursuit of an agenda of total domination of the State and society,” the WPA declared. “This has been made worse by the deafening silence of those who have enabled the government’s increasing disrespect for the rule of law.”
The WPA’s sharpest criticism was reserved for what it calls the hypocrisy of the PPP, which has openly engaged in vote-buying in opposition areas but now accuses others of doing the same. The party claimed that its leadership turned a blind eye to the practice when it was exposed among its own ranks, but now, when the opposition attempts similar strategies, the PPP has resorted to outright violence.
PPP leaders have attacked our leadership in the vilest terms, accusing us of seeking to deny African Guyanese their right to vote for their party, the WPA stated. According to the party they were merely calling out the hypocrisy and corruption within the PPP’s own campaign tactics.”
The statement points to the PPP’s violent responses to the election of 2020, which included widespread violence and harassment of political opponents, particularly targeting women, children, and police officers. The WPA also accused the PPP of using the State’s coercive arms, such as the police, to intimidate and suppress dissenting voices.
WPA further called out the PPP’s leadership for normalising political violence as a tool of engagement, asking a series of provocative questions meant to expose the contradictions at the heart of the party’s actions.
“Does the PPP own Indian Guyanese? Do Indian Guyanese have the right to support political forces other than the PPP?” the WPA questioned. “If the PPP has brought progress and development to Guyana, as it claims, the WPA questioned why its supporters are increasingly turning away from it. The party also wants to know why violence is now the PPP’s preferred method of political engagement?”
According to the WPA, the PPP’s long-standing tactic of using coercion and violence to maintain its power has now reached a dangerous tipping point. The party condemned the recent assault and wrongful arrest of an opposition party member, noting that while the attacker remains free, the victim has been left without recourse.
“We hold the PPP fully responsible for any further escalation of violence,” the statement continued. “As we move closer to what is shaping up to be a contentious election, the PPP’s increasingly violent actions threaten to destabilize the fragile political environment in Guyana.”
The WPA urged civil society, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), and the international community to take urgent notice of the PPP’s behavior and its dangerous implications for the country’s future.
