On February 1, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo hosted another of his weekly press conferences at the Freedom House, Robb Street, Georgetown.
When asked by a member of the media why he was absent from the Budget Debates, Dr. Jagdeo pointed to the lack of good opponents to offer a “good fight” in the National Assembly. Due to this, he stated that he lacks the energy to make robust technical presentations only to have it not appreciated.
He further remarked that the “other side” does not inspire him to make the effort.
He stated that at one point, there were people who would make his efforts worthwhile. He cited persons like Former President Desmond Hoyte, who “would not talk nonsense or try to come up with something that doesn’t exist in economic theory like Norton does…”
Also in the conference, Vice President Jagdeo was asked to comment on the recently planned strike that teachers are supposedly arranged to have in the following week.
He responded that the teachers are being stirred by “lies, crocodile tears, and racism”, and compared this event to a party rally hosted earlier in the month.
There, he said that Opposition Members of Parliament Aubrey Norton and Khemraj Ramjattan encouraged racist remarks, telling those present that the Government isn’t doing anything for them.
The VP further stated that the Opposition members go in small circles and meet with teachers in pockets around the country and run “whisper campaigns”.
He said that teachers know what they dealt with during APNU+AFC rule, and also saw what they did to the children.
He reminded reporters of the many grants that were taken away during the 2015-2020 rule.