Selection of Mr Ramkarran strongly supported by the youths of ANUG
own supporters and to the exclusion of the opposition’s supporters. With both sides represented on the Boards and Commissions of power in Government, decisions will benefit from true inclusiveness and neither of the two large ethnic blocks will continue to feel a sense of isolation whenever their party is not in power.
In order to do this, substantial changes must be made to our statutory framework, a process which requires an independent Parliament where the combined opposition holds the majority. Mr. Ramkarran’s professional background as a well-respected Attorney-at-Law and Senior Counsel, Speaker of the National Assembly for eleven years, a former executive and pillar of one of the two major political parties for almost 40 years, the Chairman of the Constitution Reform Commission in 1999-2000, and a regular columnist on political matters through his Conversation Tree Blog and Sunday Stabroek, among many other credentials, establishes him without challenge as the best man for the task ahead. It was comforting to see the youth membership in support of this reasoning. The age factor no doubt came up, but in the end, reason prevailed, and credibility and competence triumphed.
ANUG’s candidate has little interest in securing a position of power in government, and has committed to supporting any candidate that was chosen by the membership. Never once had Mr. Ramkarran expressed an interest in the top spot. However, the sentiments that he was the most appropriate man to lead the process toward a system of inclusive governance where all Guyanese feel that they are represented in executive decision-making was immutable and reflected in the party’s election.
ANUG has clearly stated repeatedly and without exception or qualification that it will not be joining forces with either the PPP or APNU. This promise is not only rooted in the long history of a third party ceding their identity to the larger political entities, but in recognition of the real and genuine fear which exists today amongst our nation that third parties will not only become subsumed but will betray its supporters in the quest for sustained power once in government. With this in mind, the LJP has revealed themselves.
Yours faithfully, Aruna Budhram Jonathan Yearwood Carlos Gonsalves Akanni Blair Kian Jabour