It was an interesting day in PNCR politics. The PPP-controlled Guyana Chronicle published a report of an interview with former PNCR General Secretary, Amna Ally. In the interview, Amna Ally lashed out at PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton and declared her support for APNUAFC parliamentarian Roysdale Forde. However, in the process, she made a few political blunders.
It is known by some in the PNCR circle that the former General Secretary is the sponsor of the Roysdale Forde campaign. However, when she declared support for Forde, she created some problems for him. Firstly, how could you be running to be Leader of the PNCR, and your main sponsor using the PPP-controlled Guyana Chronicle to promote you and bash your opponent? The question members might ask is, what is in it for the PPP? Why did the PPP, which does not give access to the PNCR in the state media, provide access to promote you? Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
Amna’s next blunder was to reveal her conditions for supporting the PNCR at the next elections. According to the Guyana Chronicle, Ally said she couldn’t care less if the PNCR is in a position to contest the next elections, as long as Norton is at the helm. “… I am not going to lift a finger under Norton’s leadership.” She did not even give a firm commitment to supporting the Party after Norton relinquished leadership. Here again is another problem for Forde. How could your main sponsor be using the PPP-controlled Chronicle to declare she would not lift a finger to help the PNCR once Norton is Leader? Is the hatred for Norton so much greater than love for the Party, its members and supporters, and the citizens of Guyana? This attitude towards the Party by the main sponsor suggests it is a policy of the entire Forde Team. This is disqualifying, especially since in some quarters it is reported that she said she prefers the PPP to a Norton led PNCR. How could you be campaigning to lead the Party but at the same time promising to throw it under the bus if you do not win?
PNCR Chairman Shurwayne Holder reacted sharply to the Chronicle article on Amna Ally’s interview. He accused her of not even doing the courtesy of handover/takeover with the new General Secretary when she demitted office. In reaction to her criticism of the Party Leader, the Party Chairman said it was under her watch as Chief Whip that Charrandas’ yes vote led to the fall of the coalition government. Holder’s comments are against a backdrop of credible reports that top coalition officials were informed beforehand that Charrandas Persaud intended to vote yes but did not act. In fact, there was no plan in place for a worst-case scenario.
Holder’s criticism did not go down well in all quarters. Some expressed support for Amna Ally, citing her 30 plus years of service to the Party. No reference was made to Amna Ally’s missteps and alarming pronouncements. It might be coincidental, but today at least two well known Facebook personalities launched an attack on the PNCR Leader. Today was indeed an interesting day in PNCR politics. PNCR members must observe carefully, because their decision in a few months could very well be the most consequential in the Party’s history.