PEOPLE’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary, Clement Rohee said he is not surprised by news that Dr. Joey Jagan will not be campaigning for the party at the upcoming elections, contending that “Joey” is an “excellent dentist.”“Joey” Jagan, the son of founding PPP Leaders and Presidents, Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan, had campaigned for the party at the 2011 elections.
According to Rohee, he once conveyed his views to “Joey’s” mom, Janet, who was also the party general secretary, telling her: “You know, “Joey” is an excellent dentist but a poor politician.”
Rohee, who is also Minister of Home Affairs, said the political sojourns of the dentist over the years give an indication as to where he is headed.
But he pointed out that members of the Jagan family are always invited to the annual commemoration of Dr. Jagan at Babu John, Port Morant, Region 6.
They are also invited to the events of the Cheddi Jagan Month of Activities. These include the Annual Lecture Series at State House, the Family Fun Day at State House and an activity at the late President’s home in Bel Air, Georgetown.
Several members of the Jagan family were present at a recent function at State House to mark International Women’s Day.

Rohee expressed optimism that the ruling PPP/C will do well at the May 11 polls, returning with a majority Government.
However, former PPP Executive, Ralph Ramkarran has expressed a different view, contending that the PPP appears to have ran out of new faces and seems incapable of throwing up new names.
Not so
But Rohee said this is not so. “Well, the most that I can say at this point in time as far as Mr. Ramkarran’s prognosis is concerned is that he is way off mark. This PPP has great potential, the PPP has the ability to attract to its ranks and this PPP has never ever been bankrupt of ideas,” he stressed, adding that the party has always had a list of candidates that is attractive to the electorate.
“What we have to do at this point in time is to sit and ponder, sit and wonder what the PPP/C’s list of candidates is likely to be,” he noted, pointing out that “we should not be surprised by the unexpected.”
Meanwhile, the PPP said it is pleased with the thousands of party supporters and friends who participated in the Babu John commemorative service on Sunday to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Jagan, widely regarded as the Father of the Nation.

The Babu John activity was preceded by a cycle race from New Amsterdam to Corriverton and back to Babu John, where a short prize-giving ceremony was held.
The race generated tremendous excitement as the cyclists passed through villages and communities, the party said.

At Babu John where the bodies of Dr. Jagan and his wife Janet were cremated, wreaths were laid by President Donald Ramotar, former President Bharrat Jagdeo, PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee and several other representatives of fraternal organisations, including the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) and the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO).

“The mood was one of optimism and confidence that the PPP will be re-elected to office with a parliamentary majority and thereby be in a much stronger position to carry on the legacy of Dr. Jagan,” the party said in a statement.

Former President Jagdeo; President Ramotar; General Secretary Rohee; outgoing Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds; and PPP prime ministerial candidate, Elisabeth Harper, all addressed the huge gathering.