Jagdeo rejects Norton’s ‘dangerous’ rhetoric

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday rejected statements made recently by Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, stating that his comments are “dangerous” and part of an “old rhetoric” used to whip up political support.

Days ago, Norton told supporters gathered at a campaign-styled rally against the rising cost of living at Burnham Court, Middle Street, Georgetown that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) will resort to violence in the next elections when the APNU+AFC parties win the next elections.

Jagdeo, at a PPP/C press conference on Thursday, said Norton’s comments were “dangerous” and pointed out that it was the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition and its largest constituent, the People’s National Congress (PNC) that has a long history of resorting to violence after losing general elections.

“Every time APNU lost, they resorted to rhetoric and violence,” Jagdeo said.

Though he believed Mr. Norton is “delusional” for believing the APNU+ AFC opposition can win the 2025 General and Regional Elections, he rejected those seemingly inciting comments.

And Jagdeo made it clear, “Any act of violence will be met with the full force of the law.”

The Vice President, who is the PPP/C’s General Secretary, also responded to Norton’s comments about firing people in the public service to avoid sabotage.

Jagdeo said those statements were just Norton “spouting his old rhetoric.”

“We believe, contrary to what Norton believes in, that all the people of this country deserve an opportunity to enjoy this basic threshold, this minimum threshold (of benefits and services) and prosperity.

“We will work to ensure that every child, every person can have that opportunity… We will never use the litmus test of politics in recruiting people in the public service,” Jagdeo said.