Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira and the Leader of the main Parliamentary Opposition, Aubrey Norton are at odds over the placement of People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) flags on the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) and other parts of the country as the governing party hosts its 32nd Congress.
Norton’s office issued a statement earlier today, registering his party’s dissatisfaction with Teixeira’s party flying its flags and symbols throughout the country outside of election periods and specifically for displaying their flags on the ACCC, which is currently being used as the Parliament of Guyana.
“This blatant disregard for established laws and international conventions not only undermines the principles of decency and democracy but also sets a dangerous precedent that prioritizes party interests over national unity and respect for the rule of law,” the statement said.
But Minister Teixeira issued a rebuke to Norton as she was welcoming the PPP/C’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo to the podium to deliver remarks.
She said, “The Leader of the Opposition has brought out a statement, an official statement, saying that the PPP is violating constitutional law and democracy by putting up our flags – our party flags – on the Convention Centre and outside and across the country. What nonsense! They got short memories?”
The PPP/C long-serving member said there was a time when the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)-led opposition had its flags on structures during the period 2015 and 2020.
“When the PNCR flags were over the judiciary and the Guyana Defence Force and every ministry in this country, and you had to wear the party colours under Granger, you did not dare go with red into any public office between 2015 and 2020. How dare they? We will fly our flags, we will fly our Guyana flags inside [and] outside of elections, because we are the true party of the people,” the Minister said to a loud applause.
The PPP/C Congress is being held under the theme “Strengthen the party, defend Guyana, unite our people for progress and prosperity.”
This congress will see over 3000 delegates and observers from all 10 regions attending. Vice President Jagdeo is slated to present the report of the Central Committee, which he said will outline the history of the party and the core values that unite the organisation. It will also include a heavy focus on what took place since the last congress.
