Ubraj narine questions pnc

Racial divide deepens in PNCR; former Mayor questions if party’s leadership welcomes Indians

The opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) continues to face serious internal bickering among its leadership with the latest development suggesting a deepening racial divide in the party.

In a statement penned yesterday, financial member of the party and former Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine questioned if Indo Guyanese are welcomed in the party under the current leadership.

“Will any member who dares to step forward be labeled as a supporter of the rival party, the PPP? Furthermore, does the PNC truly welcome individuals of Indian descent, like myself, under its current leadership?” he questioned.

His comment came after Chairman of the party Shurwayne Holder criticized longstanding member and former General Secretary of the party, Amna Ally for suggesting that Aubrey Norton was unfit to lead the PNCR.

Norton was elected party leader in 2021 and will be up for reelection later this year against Attorney Roysdale Forde. Ally has endorsed Forde for the top leadership position.

Since Norton took control of the PNCR, two Indo-Guyanese members, Geeta Chandan-Edmond and Fiaz Mursalin resigned from executive positions in the party.

According to Narine, the party must embrace its diverse membership base.

“Rather than stifling voices of dissent, it is essential that the PNC embraces its diverse membership base. Guyana is a multi-ethnic society, and for the party to truly represent the aspirations of its constituents, it must provide a space where individuals from all backgrounds feel valued and included,” he said.

A party member who does not serve on the executive council of the party told us last evening that the ongoing issues has raised racial tensions in the party with some Indian members feeling alienated.

“We don’t know if this may cause them to feel as if they don’t belong in the party but the leadership has to fix it now because the party can continue to lose support,” the member said, speaking under the condition of anonymity.

Since the APNU/AFC of which the PNCR is a member lost the 2020 general elections and failed in its attempt to rig the results, a number of members have walked away from the party.