Parliamentarian Ganesh Mahipaul says that as an Indo-Guyanese man, he feels at home with People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), a political entity whose traditional support base is predominantly Afro-Guyanese.
He made this comment after two high-level Indo-Guyanese PNCR members crossed over to the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), a mainly Indo-Guyanese-backed party ahead of the September 1, 2025, elections. According to Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive Member, Dr. David Hinds, those persons were part of the “ethnic window-dressing” – a tactic, he said is used by all political parties to either create an illusion of inclusivity or to capture votes from those outside of their traditional support base.
Daniel Seeram, the sitting PNCR-appointed Region 4 Chairman, who endorsed the PPP/C, recently faced flak from Dr. Hinds, who said that the local government official never worked for the position he got but was granted that honour because of “ethnic window-dressing”.
Geeta Chandan-Edmond, who, in dramatic flair, endorsed the ruling PPP/C on the floor of the National Assembly, has also found herself at the end of severe criticism.
This is what the former Finance Minister under the APNU+AFC regime, Winston Jordan had to say about Chandan-Edmond’s endorsement: “Nobody is saying that she can’t endorse who she wishes. Everybody has that right, but you’re telling me, oh, you’re telling me that a seat that you never won in a first-past-the-post, but was gifted to you by largely African Guyanese voters, that you will sit down – you don’t resign from the party, you don’t resign as a member of parliament – and then subsequently say I will be supporting X candidate in the upcoming election?”
It is within this context that Mahipaul, a staunch PNCR member was asked to share his thoughts on those utterances and to proffer his opinion on whether they would do more harm than good, especially since his party is hoping to reach beyond its traditional base.
Without answering directly, Mahipaul went on to boast of the PNCR’s policy of inclusivity.
He said: “I have been a member of the People’s National Congress Reform since 2008, and my political party is an all-inclusive party. My political party has never demonstrated a base of wanting to favor one over the other.”
He added, “My political party has always been embracing to me. I have never the feeling of being uncomfortable in the PNCR.”
The PNCR member said that he is always moved whenever he reflects on what his party did as a government for building multi-ethnic and multicultural relationships.”
He noted that it was the PNCR that made Phagwah, Diwali, Eid-ul-Adha, and Youman Nabi public holidays.
“As an Indo- Guyanese in the PNCR, I feel I’m at home with my family and they have always embraced me. I have no reason to have any other view.”
Further pressed to say if he believes that the comments made by Dr. Hinds and Jordan has the potential to alienate rather than embrace those outside of the party’s traditional support base, Mahipaul again deflected.
“I did not hear the statement or read the statement that Mr. Hinds made but Mr. Hinds has always been speaking his mind and he speaks for himself and then he speaks to the WPA. I don’t even know if he speaks it in WPA. He speaks for himself.”
Regarding Jordan’s statement, Mahipaul replied, “I am not sure what statement… I didn’t see his statement either.”
Asked whether his party will address Dr. Hinds’ comment, Mahipaul said, “I know for a fact that David is passionate about whatever. And mind you, we are not answerable for the WPA. When we’re working in coalition, we’ll agree on principles and policies and move forward.”
