LEADER of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo, participated in a Town Hall-style meeting in New York on Friday evening,
during which he embraced opportunity to give the diaspora an overview of the May 11, 2015 elections which resulted in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) suffering defeat at the hands of the APNU+AFC coalition.

Via press statement, his party reported this matter yesterday, and said that those present sought an analytical review from the former President.

“The enthused crowd wanted a more in-depth overview as to what happened with the tabulating of the ballots, (which) caused the PPP to lose the government,” the release disclosed; and in response, Jagdeo said there were several inconsistencies in the overall electoral process, even as he alleged that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has developed a habit of showing partisan behaviour.

Nevertheless, the Opposition Leader told the packed hall that the PPP/C is in full support of the David Granger Administration with respect to the Guyana/Venezuela border issue. The PPP/C, he said, will never shy away from national issues such as this.

Jagdeo urged that the positive relationship which the PPP/C Government had established with Venezuela should continue to grow under the current Administration.

“Our rice farmers got an above-the-market price for their rice. The current APNU regime shattered this agreement within their first 100 days (in office), and today our rice industry is in shambles,” Jagdeo reportedly said.

Contrary to what Mr Jagdeo declared at that meeting, it was the Venezuelan Government which chose not to renew the rice agreement with Guyana.

Jagdeo’s statement was made hours after President Granger had told journalists at the Ministry of the Presidency that his Government stands committed to source additional rice markets.