To win next elections… PPP must ‘rebuild party from bottom up’ – Jagdeo tells Red House symposium
At the symposium, from left, are Dr. Roger Luncheon,   former Presideents Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo and  Mr. Donald Ramotar, and Ms. Gail Teixeira
At the symposium, from left, are Dr. Roger Luncheon, former Presideents Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo and Mr. Donald Ramotar, and Ms. Gail Teixeira

OPPOSITION Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has expressed confidence that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will return to power, and this can take place sooner rather than later.However, his party has a big task ahead in rebuilding and ensuring that the PPP/C is as strong as it has ever been in its history, “and even stronger than that.”
Addressing a symposium on Wednesday, on the lawns of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (Red House) to commemorate October 5, the anniversary of the PPP/C’s ascension to office after 28-years rule by the People’s National Congress (PNC), Mr Jagdeo highlighted his party’s agenda for securing and retaining power.

A section of the gathering at the PPP/C’s October 5 Symposium at Red House (Adrian Narine photo)
A section of the gathering at the PPP/C’s October 5 Symposium at Red House (Adrian Narine photo)

“We have to focus a lot on people’s concerns and make them our priority…we believe in the creation of wealth, the improvement of people’s lives. We believe in doing things to empower people so that they can, by themselves change the circumstances of their lives. We believe they should live in a country with an enhanced body of rights and that they should be protected by law. This is our philosophy,” Jagdeo told a large gathering of party supporters.
Briefing his supporters on the method of winning back the elections, he warned them that the task before them is “rebuilding the party from bottom up”.
Alluding to the fact that the party allowed its ‘guards to drop a bit too low’, Jagdeo is determined that this anomaly will be rectified this time around.
“We have to correct that. We have to get (PPP and PYO) groups that are strong and up to the task; We have to rekindle that fire in our bellies. The fire that led young Cheddi Jagan to form the first political party in this country in 1950,” he affirmed.
Former President Donald Ramotar, who also addressed the symposium, reflected on the struggles for democracy, recalling that Dr. Jagan taught the Party that there can be no sustained social and economic development without having political democracy.
“That was the belief and the foundation of the PPP. That is why we fought so tirelessly for free and fair elections in Guyana, and having won, for the first time in post-Independence Guyana, where we had a government of the people and by the people in 1992,” Ramotar stated.
He concurred with fellow PPP stalwart Ms. Gail Teixiera, who reminded the gathering that October 5, 1992 is one of the most important dates in the history of Guyana.
“What I would like to say, without doubt, is that the last 23 years of the PPP-Civic Government, those years were the best years for the Guyanese people in the post-Independence era and that is something that we ought to be very proud of,” Mr. Ramotar said.
You cannot have sustained social and economic development without having political democracy, Ramotar said while conceding that the PPP/C administration achieved quite a lot in very difficult circumstances.
The purpose of the symposium, according to Chairperson, Dr. Vidhya Persaud, was to reflect on the accomplishments of the PPP led administration – initially by Cde. Cheddi Jagan and the struggles for democracy, eventually won on October 5, 1992, and the 23 years of democratic rule by that government from then up to May 2015.
“It is an occasion to reflect on ‘How far we come’; What we have achieved; What are the differences between the PPP and the APNU/AFC Government and what the PPP needs to do to retain power,” Dr. Persaud said.
COMPARISON
She recalled that the PPP’s 23 years in government (from October 1992 to May 2015) yielded inclusiveness at every single level: Where everyone’s perspective and voice was heard. And comparing that era to what is being seen now, Dr. Persaud observed, “…That is what is sadly missing today. Today we are imposed on, we are dictated to, and more importantly, our freedom to choose – our freedoms have been taken somewhat for granted and we feel very much threatened.”
Comparing the PPP’s rule with the current David Granger-led Administration, Dr. Persaud declared: “From once being a country poised on greatness, we are now plunged into a period of uncertainty. We are plunged into a period of what some consider hopelessness.”
But, the PPP is working resolutely towards effecting a change – sooner than later, to taking back power from the APNU/AFC Government.
WINNING BACK POWER
A recurring phrase using in many of speeches delivered throughout the evening was ‘winning back power, with the PPP/C leaders urging the large gathering of supporters to mobilise and galvanise for what is evident. And so there was much emphasis on employing strategies to win back power at both the Local Government and National levels.
“Not at the end of a five-year term; not necessarily even three, but any day now!” was the consensus, as a 4-point plan towards winning back power was unveiled.
Among those who also spoke at the symposium were General Secretary of the PPP/C, Clement Rohee; Dr. Roger Luncheon and PPP/C’s Chief Whip in Parliament, Gail Teixiera.

By Shirley Thomas

 

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