NJAC unfazed by Kamla ‘snub’

Political leader of the National Joint Action Committee Kwasi Mutema
Political leader of the National Joint Action Committee Kwasi Mutema

NATIONAL Joint Action Committee (NJAC) leader Kwasi Mutema was unfazed by the recent remarks of United National Congress (UNC) leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who last Sunday said she thought her party can win the 2020 general election alone.

“They are free to make their choice with how they’re going forward regarding their political activities. I have my views on coalition politics,” Mutema told Newsday yesterday. “We don’t see it in the context of coming together just to win an election and unseat the party in power, but as a vehicle to unite the nation.”

Mutema reiterated that the UNC was free to adopt any strategy going forward.

“I wish them the best in their endeavours. We maintain our perspective. We are always open to discussion with other bodies who may share our vision.”

Mutema said NJAC was yet to decide whether to contest the upcoming elections.

Otherwise, he saw a role for NJAC in lifting the nation by educating it about the events of the 1970s, good and bad, that helped shape today’s society.

He said the party is now organising itself ahead of the pending elections this year (local) and next year (general).

This year is the 50th anniversary of NJAC’s founding on February 26, 1969, while next year is the fiftieth anniversary of the “Revolution of 1970.”

Mutema predicted a busy year ahead for NJAC, but one where it avoided getting involved in a “lot of noise” that often arises in this society.

“That’s a concern of ours, the amount of noise that doesn’t necessarily assist the population get a clarity of understanding. We see ourselves in a role to offer some level of balance.”

Newsday asked if NJAC might join a political coalition, as it did in joining the People’s Partnership (PP) for the 2010 general election. “It’s early yet to make a definite statement on that,” Mutema said. “As an organisation we are always open to having discussions with other organisations who may share a particular vision or purpose.

“Our purpose for entering partnerships was not just to move the PNM but to bring about national unity.”

This unity was always an NJAC goal, he said, and the PP was a vehicle for that.

“Yes, there were shortcomings and disappointments, but with every journey in life you’ll experience that, so it is not something we’ll rule out.”

He said coalitions were a global trend and were backed by the TT citizenry. Mutema saw NJAC as having a critical role to play in alleviating the polarisation of the country and its politics, so as to fully mobilise the people to develop the society. He lamented that some people judge right and wrong based on whether the perpetrators of an action are in the same political party as themselves.

Mutema said over the years NJAC had correctly predicted that certain negative things would happen in the society and had suggested put forward solutions but had been persecuted. “We were subject to persecution, imprisonment and ridicule. More and more, bit by bit, the population was made to ignore the voice of NJAC by those in power just to achieve their person gains by using the foolish efforts of propaganda.”

Reiterating that NJAC had predicted much of what is taking place today in TT, he said as a society TT must place more focus on the fundamental truths.

“A lot of the young men now being referred to as monkeys or cockroaches are collectively victims. We must be careful how we approach them.”

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