…Executives say they left a “toxic, poisonous and dictatorial” environment
… Questions Linger about National Assembly Representation
More Executives from The New Movement (TNM) have resigned leaving questions about the depth of its internal turmoil and how it will best represent Guyanese in the lone seat jointly secured in the National Assembly.
On Thursday, Village Voice Guyana reported that former TNM Prime Ministerial Candidate Gerald Forde resigned citing reasons such as alleged close ties with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the formation of factions and character assassination internally, undemocratic principles and failure to think critically.
In an invited comment, Leader of the TNM, Dr. Asha Kissoon said that Forde couldn’t “deal with the pressures of internal affairs” and was “bitter” about being excluded from certain projects.
However, that same day, the party’s Secretary, Dr. Daniel Kanhai, also tendered his resignation. He cited selfishness, a toxic environment, and poor leadership.
“Please be informed that it is with a heavy heart that I tender my resignation from The New Movement (TNM) after considering all the changes and unconstitutional attempts by persons to act selfishly, go rogue, and use dictatorial force to influence my political will,” Dr. Kanhai said.
“As we can agree to disagree, the beginnings of TNM were once predicated on pure and moral ideas and (without a doubt) for the benefit of Guyanese. However, this quickly disappeared post-election, and it became a camp impregnated with turmoil and coup-ism. The Executive Body voted for a new way forward (6-1), which was unaccepted among a minority of members. Weeks of resolution talks were done amongst us, and during this time, the majority did not feel comfortable working in an environment that was toxic, poisonous, and dictatorial. An environment nurtured by the party’s sole financier and his advocate. No resolution to the issue could be had, despite effort towards peaceful negotiations,” he said.
Based on remarks made by Kanhai and Forde, it would appear that the party’s financier is Dr. Turhane Doerga, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GuyEnergy, who supported the party since its pre-elections phase.
Dr. Kissoon serves as the Local Director there but told Village Voice Guyana on Thursday that the business remains separate and independent from TNM and that “Gerald Forde is bitter because he was not invited to be a part of that”.
However, Dr. Kanhai minced no words when he referred to the few in the party who felt that they could “call the shots” due to leadership or financial contribution as “dictators”.
Also exiting the party is former Executive Latchman Dindayal who resigned on November 12, 2020. He said that he did so due to “changes and unconstitutional attempts by persons to act selfishly, go rogue, and use dictatorial force to influence the will of the party”.
He said that weeks of resolution talks were had but no favourable conclusion was met. “I thank you for the experience and I am sorry we had to part ways like this. But it is for the best. I wish you well in your endeavors and hope you are blessed in your days,” Dindayal said.
It is likely that TNM Executive, Donneille Forde who is married to Forde, has also left the political party.
Attempts to reach the party via its website (http://tnmparty.com/) shows that the domain is no longer connected.
The New Movement was formed in November 2019, shortly before the 2020 General and Regional Elections. The party was headed by mostly health workers and told the media that they were on a mission to fix a broken system.
On its own, the party secured 244 votes in the General Elections. Nonetheless, the party has made its way into the National Assembly due to a joinder pact signed with A New and United Guyana (ANUG) and the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) prior to the elections to count their vote collectively.
On Thursday, when asked how relations were between the three political parties TNM Leader, Dr. Kissoon said that they were favourable.
Questioned whether she will serve as the party’s representative in the House when the time comes, she said: “It will be decided democratically among the members but more than likely, yes.”
