People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Member Anil Nandlall has delivered a lukewarm assessment of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) campaign launch, pointing to dwindling support and a lacklustre turnout as evidence of the party’s weakened political standing.
The APNU Coalition, which is led by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), launched its campaign on Sunday at the Square of the Revolution.
“Having observed many such events over the years, it was lukewarm, to say the least,” Nandlall stated during his weekly programme, “Issues In The News.”
He described the crowd as significantly smaller than previous launches and expressed that even staunch PNCR supporters would view it as a disappointment.
“Numerous social media posts tried to downplay the turnout by claiming photos were taken at inopportune moments, but the crowd simply did not grow,” Nandlall remarked.
He contrasted this with a recent PPP/C fundraising dinner, which drew 15,000 attendees, far surpassing the APNU event’s numbers.
Highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the PNCR, Nandlall attributed the weak showing to recent defections and internal turmoil.
He criticised PNCR leader Aubrey Norton’s dismissal of departing members as “not heavyweights,” pointing out the irony that those very individuals were entrusted to represent the party in Parliament over the past five years.
“Mr. Norton will have to answer to his supporters why those who once held such high positions are now considered insignificant,” Nandlall said.
The Attorney General further condemned the APNU’s campaign rhetoric, accusing the opposition of making grandiose promises without a record of delivery.
He cited past pledges the PNCR failed to fulfil, including rapid constitutional reform, tax reductions, job creation, and improvements in education and agriculture.
“At the rally, promises came one after the other – one million dollars for every Guyanese, a 35% wage increase for public servants, pensions of $100,000 for seniors, and increased income tax thresholds,” Nandlall recounted. “These promises ignore sustainability and fiscal responsibility, pushing Guyana towards bankruptcy if enacted.”
Nandlall also criticised the APNU’s previous governance, highlighting cuts to subsidies, increased taxes, and policies harmful to farmers and the sugar industry.
He dismissed recent pledges to revive sugar and suggested that plans to replace sugar cultivation with large-scale marijuana farming raise serious legal and criminal concerns.
“One speaker at their rally openly advocated planting marijuana on a commercial scale, which remains a criminal offence under Guyanese law,” Nandlall warned.
