THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is observing its 60th anniversary this year.
It was established in January 1950 following its transformation into a full fledged political party from its forerunner, the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), which was a political pressure group established in 1946, soon after the return of Dr. Cheddi Jagan from his studies in the United States.
It is testimony of the PPP’s deep roots in this society that it has withstood the very formidable challenges in the 60 years since its formation to stand today as the foremost political organisation in the country.
The PPP has survived and grown stronger as a well-organised and closely knit political outfit that has weathered the storm and defeated all odds.
From its inception, the party made it clear that it will work on the side of the poor and downtrodden and for an independent Guyana, building a country of social justice and economic well being.
And it has remained true to championing the interests of all of the working class people of Guyana.
As a result, it has built inseparable links with the ordinary people who have remained loyal to it through thick and thin.
Many critics have conveniently forgotten that it was the party that lit the lamp of the struggle for independence and sustained that lamp.
Unfortunately, the racial and working class unity that it forged in the early 1950s was ruptured by those with narrow and selfish political agendas and this held back the socio-economic development of this country.
In government during the 1950s and early 1960s, the PPP faced tremendous odds as it tried desperately but successfully to transform the socio-economic landscape of this country.
It became a victim of the Cold War, like several other governments in developing countries, and as a result it had to endure the wrath of the combination of international and local opposition forces.
But the PPP survived the machinations of the Central Intelligence Agency and others determined to deny it its clear mandate from the majority of the people in Guyana and became even more steeled in the struggle.
It is remarkable that it remained in the opposition for 28 years under the dictatorial and autocratic rule foisted upon this nation through rigged elections and coercion and returned to power in the first free and fair elections held in the country since it was ousted from office.
This was no ordinary feat and the PPP is believed to be the only political party in the world that managed to survive so long in opposition and then return to government.
The party, therefore, has every reason to be proud of its 60 years in existence and its monumental contributions to the development of this land and we join in extending congratulations on the anniversary.