THE anxiety, rumours, uninformed analyses and wild speculations  of a split in the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) have now been permanently put to rest , with the unanimous election or selection of General Secretary Mr. Donald Ramotar as the party’s presidential candidate for the upcoming general elections.

The campaign will now warm up as all the main parties contesting the elections have now completed the process of identifying their presidential candidates.

What was significant about the election of Mr. Ramotar, was the fact that, in the end, he was selected through consensus, which has been a tradition of the party when electing presidential candidates.

In this instance, the other three contestants magnanimously withdrew, obviously after realising that Mr. Ramotar had majority support, and pledged their support to the party for an election victory.

This approach is one of the legacies of the revered party leader and former President Dr. Cheddi Jagan, as he always advocated consensus on important internal party matters.

The question about why and how the party has been able to, not only survive, but grow stronger has always arisen.

In fact, out of its 60 odd years of existence, 28 consecutive years have been out of government as a result of elections rigging. This is perhaps an unprecedented political feat in the world.

Apart from its solid roots in the working class, the manner of election of Mr. Ramotar helps to explain the durability of the party. Like every organization, it has, and would always have internal differences among its membership. However, it has always been able to settle them free of acrimony and party disunity, which have affected all the other major parties.

According to Karl Marx, contradictions are the bases of development and therefore they are inevitable.
Ramotar, who is a veteran of the party and spent his entire adult life in the political arena, will now be expected to put forward what would be his focus, if and when elected as President of Guyana.

It would be difficult to assess Mr. Ramotar’s credentials on the basis of  performance as a government functionary, as he has never served in such a capacity. But as an individual, he has demonstrated humility, honesty and decency;  while as a politician, he has had a long and distinguished career and his name has never been linked to corruption.

He once worked as Communications Officer with GAWU which would have allowed him to be in close contact with sugar workers and coming from the small remote community of Caria Caria, along the Essequibo River, he has never lost touch with the ordinary people.

He had a very long tenure as the International Affairs Secretary of the party’s youth arm, the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) and, during this time, he travelled across the globe extensively meeting and interacting with many statesmen, world leaders, diplomats, etc.

These qualities and experiences should serve him in good stead if he becomes President, which is very likely, judging from the current political situation.

Of course, he has the backing of a party that  has a rich history of struggle and success and this will enhance his capacity to lead this country on a continued road of peace, progress and prosperity.

The nation now awaits his plans,preparatory to embarking on this road.