Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton said he is not satisfied with President Irfaan Ali’s work and, more so, accused the Government of discriminating against his (Norton’s) people.
That was Norton’s defence for declining the President’s handshake at the Emancipation Day celebration held in New Amsterdam.
Moreover, his action has been dubbed as “immature” by hundreds of Guyanese, some of whom are supporters of the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU + AFC) coalition.
During a rally held on Tuesday evening at Burnham Court, the Opposition Leader defended his decision and said he has no regrets.
“When you see me not shaking Ali Baba (President Ali’s) hand, it’s not because I don’t like him. It’s because I dislike what he is doing to my people. He has made himself the enemy of my people by his actions,” an energetic Norton said.
However, this is not the first time the Opposition Leader has refused to shake the President’s hand.
In fact, Norton and President Ali attended a birthday reception for Queen Elizabeth 11 (the second) at the British High Commissioner’s residence in June, where President Ali approached him for a handshake, but he refused to do so.
Later at a press conference, Norton said the President had bullied him for a handshake.
After attributing the refusal to shake the President’s hand to “unequal treatment,” Norton has called on citizens, particularly young Guyanese, to come to his party if they want a better Guyana.
He has even accused the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) of not performing well enough and discriminating against some Guyanese.
