GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Opposition legislator Amanza Walton-Desir, Wednesday confirmed that she had tendered her resignation from the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) as the party is finalizing its list of candidates for the September 1 regional and general election.
She said that she has also resigned as a Member of Parliament for the opposition coalition, a Partnership for National Unity, and the Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC).
Walton-Desir told the online publication News Source that she will be hosting a press conference later to offer more details about her decision to leave the PNCR and the Parliament.
Last week, she publicly expressed her frustration over the failure of the APNU and the AFC to reach a coalition agreement ahead of the elections, urging the two parties to get back to the negotiating table.
The News Source reported that it understands Walton-Desir is expected to announce the formation of a new political movement on Wednesday, which is expected to include a number of other opposition members.
APNU and PNCR leader Aubrey Norton confirmed that he had received the letter of resignation, which also informed that Walton-Desir has resigned as an opposition legislator.
He said he had recently met with Walton-Desir at his office in the presence of the administrative head of the party’s campaign, David Hailes, and that the meeting centered on Walton-Desir being on the party’s list of candidates for the elections and her role in the campaign.
“I met Amanda. We discussed her being on the list, and she said she needs to consult with her team and get back to me regarding that. I am still to hear back from her about being on our list”, Norton said, adding that he had assured Walton-Desir that her name would be on the list of candidates and would be extracted for the National Assembly regardless of how the election goes.
“She asked if her name would be on the list, and I said yes. She asked if it would be extracted for Parliament, and I also said yes, and she said she would get back to me, and she has not gotten back to me…and this meeting was done in the presence of Mr. Hailes”, Norton said.
Earlier this month, opposition legislator Geeta Chandan-Edmond publicly endorsed President Irfaan Ali and the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) ahead of the elections.
She said Ali has earned a second term, and Guyana deserves nothing else.
and then 