– Ramotar
PRESIDENTIAL Candidate of the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Mr. Donald Ramotar says he has faith in the vision of late Guyanese President Dr. Cheddi Jagan that he could unite the citizenry.

According to a report in the Trinidad Guardian newspaper, Ramotar believes it is possible despite the prevailing view that Guyanese elections are an “ethnic census.”

He made this comment at a function hosted in honour of charismatic outgoing Guyanese president Mr. Bharrat  Jagdeo by principal of the St Augustine Campus in Trinidad Prof Clement Sankat, at his office in Trinidad.
The Guardian quoted Ramotar, who accompanied President Jagdeo at the function, as saying: “Dr Jagan has never accepted the PPP was a race based party; its manifesto never had any policy for one section…always national policies.
“Dr Jagan always believed we could unite the people of our country. There are more things in common.”
Ramotar added: “There was a high level of unity in 1953. A high level of unity before[the] split in 1955. We did it once and we can do it again.”
He continued: “One of the problems we had in the 60s was the racial question. It was the classical divide and rule strategy to divide…to destroy the PPP.”
“They created the problem by instigating racial riots. Many people in the region and afield have continued to report on Guyanese elections as being an ethnic census. Indo Guyanese vote for PPP (but) that image has changed.”
Ramotar alluded to the establishment of an Ethnic Relations Commission to end any form of discrimination and promote harmonious ethnic relations. Commenting on Jagdeo’s stewardship, he said: “I don’t see him retiring. Based on his experience and knowledge, he will play an important role.