Burnham was Opportunistic and a Very Ruthless Dictator

M'lilwana Osanku nabaclisman@ gmail.com wrote:

Representation of the People of the Colony of British Guiana in the Elections of April 1953.

Chuck Mohan
You may be correct but I always felt Burnham was singularly interested in ruling Guyana. I never really looked at him as a racist – just a power hungry at all cost sort of being – the term dictator fits him to a tee – another term Kabaka really points out where Burnham's head was…he did not care about anyone I would think.
I believe Cheddi Jagan was absolutely correct when he stated Burnham were only interested in attaining and holding the highest offices in the land…it has been documented Burnham stated when he returned from his studies overseas he certainly expected to rule Guyana.
Cheddi Jagan on the other hand did not entertain such thoughts prior to leaving for the USA.
I think Burnham was an opportunist more than he would be a racist. I believe if Burnham had obtained the support at the polling places as he thought he was due as the results of the April 1953 elections pointed out Burnham tallied the most votes. Therefore; perhaps Burnham by such thought expected the Jagans to hand over the PPP platform to him. I believe with every defeat Burnham hardened realizing the only way to become the head of state was colluded with the Peter Stanislaus D'Aguiar and with the blessings and the backing of UK and USA and a number of Caribbean and African Heads of States. And that is what Burnham simply did – stole power and held us all hostages for more than 21 – with the PNC tallying about 28 years… In a nutshell that is my understanding of the political history of Guyana – the era of Jagan 1943 -1997 and Burnham 1950-1985…

A brief look at the returns of Representation of the People of the Colony of British Guiana in the Elections of April 1953 – reveals

1. 129 politicians presented themselves as candidates for the representation of the people of the colony of British Guiana in the elections of April 1953.
2. the top eleven vote getters were; L. F. S. Burnham (6957), Cheddi Jagan (6233) Ashton Chase (5854), Jai Narine Singh (5630), Robert Stanley Hanoman Singh (5202), Joseph Prayas Lachhmansingh (5199) Ramkarran (4390) Jessie Irma Sampson Burnham (4122), Mohamed Khan (3965), Jane Phillip Gay (3754) Sydney E. King (3653)
3. The Most Honourable Balram Singh Rai received only (421) and was fourth in West Central Demerara district.
4. The voters selected Ramkarran overwhelmingly over Oscar Stanley Wight, Paul Obadiah Slowe, Balram Singh Rai, Sugrim Singh, Richard Alexander Ishmael and Joseph Ramlagan in District Number 15 – West Central Demerara.
5. Janet Jagan received 2523, easily outdistancing Deoroop Maraj, Vincent Gonsalves, and Mohamed Sharief Hassan Rahaman in Electoral District Number 3 – Western Essequibo.
6. Ashton Chase easily defeated Peter Stanislaus D'Aguiar and four others.
7. Jessie Irma Sampson Burnham outdistanced John Fernandes, Clayton Mortimer Llewellyn John, and Reginald Exley Whitehead in District Number 12– Georgetown Central.
Source: Representation of the People Ordinance Number 5 of 1953 - The Official Gazette of British Guiana - May 2, 1953: pages 1693-1700

Mrs. Jagan's account is accurate. Over the years, the mischief makers in Guyana incorrectly attributed the term "Apan Jhatt" to Dr. Jagan and the PPP. Burnham tried to accuse Dr. Jagan of being a racist, like he (Burnham) was, but he failed.

The Guyanese people and the world knows who escalated racism in Guyana; external and internal (Burnham and the PNC) forces.
Speak the truth and the truth shall set you free.
Chuck Mohan

On 10/31/07, Minette Bacchus < minebac@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:

Dear all,
In order to concur Burnham was a "very ruthless dictator" he's has to be measured by something beyond mere emotions, and selective data gathering and analyses. For starters what is a dictator? How do we measure Burnham in the context of same? Are all dictators bad? Are all democratic leaders good? Can so called dictators create/leave progressive and lasting structures/systems? Can so called democratic leaders create/leave destructive and divisive structures/systems? What humanly distinguishable quality makes a dictator/democratic leader liked/despised? Do era and local/world events influence leadership style?  
Is it sinful or inherently wrong to be ambitious and let your ambitions be known?  If Burnham is guilty of this then so too are many of us- from great leaders to the poor child who vow to be "somebody" someday. Should these ambitions be killed or hidden under a bushel?  
As serious intellects or debaters can the bar be raised? I await answers.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:13:04 PM
I can offer several Guyanese for comparison. How about Eusi Kwayana, Balram Singh Rai, Alfred Athiel Thorne (1871 - 1956), Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, Joseph Rohomon, Damon of Essequibo, Telemachus of the East Coast of Demerara, Walter Rodney and shareholders of the villages upon which the nation was built and the indentured servants including Bechu who were forced to suffer in colonial Guyana…I cannot see how anyone can defend that beast of Kitty village, especially when the facts speaks for themselves.
 It is impossible to defend Paramountcy of the PNC – J. O. F Haynes could not do it Fred Willis could not do it Samuel Edgar Wills Could not do it – Johnny Cochran could not do it.  The best legal mind cannot and could not defend the sufferings of the People… I felt daily thus I know it…Only Burnhamites will mount words and attempt a policy of revisionist history and biography…It cannot be done…that is simple enough.  Politicians and religious leaders aren't much different from organized criminal enterprise in my spectacles especially when the vast majority of people on earth suffer daily ----Come on get a grip at reality…Everywhere on this earth people are catching hell and that's fine and dandy to many but not everyone is tricked by mercenaries…

On 10/31/07, Rick Narasa wrote:

Personally I liked Desmond Hoyte out of all of them leaders.... and the other guy whose car was blown up during Burnham time.... what was his name?
 nabaclisman nabaclisman Thu Nov 1, 2007 12:42 am

I did not think much of Desmond Hoyte as a legal mind and a Minister of Finance. However, I was more than mildly surprised at his leadership abilities - he listened to the people...I concur he is the best yet head of state Guyana has experienced. I can recall hearing of "Desmond Persaud” - that's what many racist Afro-Guyanese called Desmond Hoyte. 

I figured Jagdeo would surpass Desmond Hoyte.  But Jagdeo has morphed into the fat boy from Kitty. I might add; Jagdeo is worse than Burnham; especially considering he did not have to steal political power. Jagdeo ought have cleaned up the mess the PNC created in their 28 years of mismanagement...Good Lord with all the rampant blood shed upon the people - How upon this earth can anyone accept Jagdeo as a creditable leader? Jagdeo has been at the helm of the bloodiest period in the annals of the history of Guyana – and what's worst it is all black on black crime – poor people waging war upon themselves – something is terribly wrong with that scenario…