Leader of the Opposition and Leader of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), Azruddin Mohamed, has accused the government of straying from the principles of the late Cheddi Jagan, even as the annual Babu Jaan observance—intended to commemorate Jagan’s life today—was postponed due to inclement weather.
Mohamed, who was unable to attend court proceedings last week after being diagnosed with dengue fever, said in a recorded social media message issued Sunday morning that he is now recovering but felt compelled to address the nation.
“My fellow Guyanese, I thank you for your prayer. I want to assure you that I am recovering, and soon I will be back in service to you, the people of this country. But even as I recover, I cannot remain silent,” he said.
Mohamed argued that while the event is framed as a tribute to Jagan’s legacy, the current administration has departed from the ideals the late leader stood for. “Today, as the President and Vice President gather at Babu Jaan to honor the life of Cheddi Jagan, I want you to know that what is being celebrated as legacy is a betrayal,” he stated.
He pointed to concerns involving workers, alleging that “the 10-day workers are being bullied to attend this event… out of fear of losing their jobs and fear of victimization,” while also claiming that wages for the period January to March were paid without the promised $10,000 increase announced in the national budget.
Mohamed played a recording of Dr. Cheddi Jagan stating: “The working people must have a say, and the state must help to protect the poor. The rich can always take care of themselves. The poor is the one who needs protection, and that is what the PPP [People’s Progressive Party] was created for.” He said this underscored what he described as a clear departure from pro-worker policies.
He further alleged that sugar workers have not been paid on time and that promised retroactive payments remain outstanding, while also claiming that salaries for some estate staff were reduced.
Mohamed also levelled criticism at President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, accusing them of being disconnected from the realities facing ordinary Guyanese. He contrasted what he described as their accumulation of wealth with the modest lifestyles of past leaders, including Jagan and former presidents Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Donald Ramotar, and David Granger.
Drawing attention to the symbolism of the Babu Jaan observance- Jagan was cremated there in 1997-, Mohamed said the event was being used as a “display of power,” rather than a genuine commemoration. “This annual gathering is not about honoring the life of Dr. Jagan… Even his own family has been pushed aside and excluded from the very movement he built,” he claimed.
He also criticised the logistics surrounding the event, alleging that large numbers of attendees were transported in trucks and buses, while senior officials arrived in high-end vehicles. “The parking lot at Babu Jaan looks like a Toyota dealership parking lot in Japan,” he said.
Mohamed questioned the purpose of the gathering, asking: “What are they celebrating? Is it broken promises? Is it a struggle to make ends meet?” He concluded that the event represented “the destruction of everything Cheddi Jagan stood for.”
The government has not yet publicly responded to the claims made by the opposition leader.
