By Abena Rockcliffe
Recently, Guyana lost two political stalwarts, Robert Corbin and Eusi Kwayana. May their souls rest in peace. Both gentlemen made significant contributions to this country. Corbin served through the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR). Kwayana served through the Working People’s Alliance (WPA). While Corbin, hands down, enjoyed more political prominence having served as Leader of the Opposition, both men were in opposition to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and both men dedicated much of their lives to the touted “cause”. However, the responses to their deaths from the PPP Government are in stark contrast. PPP leaders and members posted condolences to Corbin’s family, showed up to his wake and funeral and gave speeches at both events. For Kwayana, there hasn’t even been an acknowledgment of his passing by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on his Facebook page that features Corbin. Possibly, this is because Corbin ceased being active in politics and providing political commentary a very long time ago. The proverbial hatchet has been buried.
To this extent, Jagdeo lauded Corbin for his contributions to Guyana. At Corbin’s wake and night of reflection held at Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Jagdeo recalled how Corbin worked along with the PPP for the good of the country. Jagdeo went further to call for a better working relationship with Corbin’s party. He made a pitch for the PNCR and the PPP to work closer together to achieve a better Guyana. Jagdeo said that the two parties have to work on building trust and a framework for collaboration.
If this call was made by practically any other person in the PPP, the President even, it may have been readily dismissed as empty rhetoric. But coming from Jagdeo, most will pay attention, even those who have studied the PPP’s treatment of political opponents and noted that no space has been created for opposition contributions even at the parliamentary level.
Why? Because though he hasn’t whipped out his strategic cap in a while, based on his legacy, Guyana knows not to dismiss anything said by Jagdeo without at least giving it a second thought. Remember it was Nigel Husges who said, if Jagdeo threatens to pelt, he is already armed with the brick. Citizens are now wondering what is behind Jagdeo’s comments.
Is something in the woodworks, is Jagdeo in talks with PNCR/ APNU leaders for greater collaboration? Will they work together in and out of parliament? When considering this possibility, we may note that PNCR Leader, Aubrey Norton has moved from refusing to shake President Irfaan Ali’s hand to embracing him as captured in a widely circulated photograph.
Was Jagdeo just being courteous in honoring the life of a man he said worked for the good of the nation? Or was it a strategic move to note that the PPP is willing to work with any political force except WIN?
Whatever the reason, Jagdeo’s pitch caused a stir. People are wondering, was it courtesy, love or a strategy?
PNCR’s Ganesh Mahipaul took to Facebook to assure that his party is not on the brink of any merger with the PPP. He claimed several members reached out to him with deep concern that the PNC may lose its independence. To calm fears, Mahipaul noted “The rhetoric employed at ceremonial occasions must not be misconstrued as evidence of a political realignment, nor should courtesies extended in moments of bereavement be interpreted as an abandonment of our political principles.”
Let’s put Mahipaul down as one viewing Jagdeo’s statements as courtesy.
While he did not offer any public commentary on Jagdeo’s sentiments, APNU’s Terrence Campbell uploaded a photo to his Facebook page that was captured during Jagdeo’s address. This author does not profess to possess any special skill in analyzing body language. But Campbell choosing to upload a picture that captured him bowing his head, not making eye contact as Jagdeo spoke does not shout enthusiasm for closer ties. Most likely, Campbell’s is a vote for it being courtesy or maybe strategy, definitely not love.
Political Analyst, Ronald Austin Junior posited on his Facebook page that Jagdeo’s sentiment had to do with strategy. He did not leave room for courtesy. Austin suggested that Jagdeo’s motivations likely align with three strategic objectives. Of the three suggestions, “Strategic Isolation of the Blue (We Invest in Nationhood)” was most interesting to this author.
Austin suggested, “By extending a rhetorical olive branch to the Greens, the VP frames the Blues as radical, non-cooperative upstarts. This positions the Reds not as partisan actors, but as the architects of an unprecedented era of national unity, leaving the Blues completely marginalized.”
If readers anticipated a scenario or comments to support the possibility that Jagdeo’s statement reflected love for the PNCR or for national unity, then you haven’t been following Jagdeo’s politics.
Whatever the reason for the pitch will unfold in due time, for now the one thing of which we can all be assured is that when Jagdeo speaks, Guyana listens; even if he is calling us stupid.
