Dear Editor,
Former Mayor, Pandit Ubraj Narine, has found time in his not-so-busy schedule to respond to GAWU through a letter appearing in the July 05, 2025, Stabroek News, apart from a few social media pages. The GAWU anticipated the ‘goodly’ pandit’s response, recognising he has been clutching at straws in a very apparent attempt to draw attention, and maybe sympathy, to himself. We are conscious that since demitting the Office of Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit has been relegated to a backseat role without any real responsibility and we daresay influence.
The ex-Mayor highlights my presence in the National Assembly. Am I not, like him, entitled to the inalienable constitutional right of freedom of association? It would appear that Pandit Narine also aspires to occupy a seat in the August House. It would explain his attack on sugar workers and their genuine organisations. Is this not an attempt to please your political bosses, pandit? Your playbook is evident.
The Pandit again harps about the re-opening of Skeldon and Wales Estate. I believe I conclusively addressed both concerns in my previous response. It appears the former Mayor has adopted Goebbels in repeating a lie often enough that it becomes the truth. That being said, there would be no discussion on reopening estates if the Coalition Government had not closed those estates in the first place. Of course, we are aware where the Pandit’s political allegiance lies.
Again, I addressed both of the ex-Mayor’s concerns regarding the NIS and pension scheme. It would seem he did not thoroughly digest my response, and I would urge him to do so. It would avoid him putting his foot in his mouth.
Pandit Narine said he is “…not afraid to stand with sugar workers now…” I find his expression noteworthy. It goes back to what I said: he remained silent when sugar workers were treated discriminatorily under the Coalition regime. I wonder, therefore, how I discredited his political history when the ex-Mayor admits he is only now standing with sugar workers. Is this not a political convenience and hypocrisy at its best?
The former Mayor concludes by urging me to emulate GAWU’s former President, the late Komal Chand. His sentiment exposes how far Pandit Narine is at sea. Our Union continued to uphold the same principles and virtues embraced by Cde Komal and other past, outstanding leaders of GAWU. We remain committed to safeguarding our union members and the working class. We will not be distracted or deterred by political featherweights, such as Pandit Narine, seeking to scapegoat our Union to earn their fifteen (15) minutes of fame.
Yours truly,
Seepaul Narine
President
GAWU
