— handpicks fraud-accused as presidential candidate in dubious ‘election’

SCANDAL-tarred former housing minister Irfaan Ali was on Saturday handpicked by Bharrat Jagdeo to be the PPP’s presidential candidate in a process that the party described as an election, but condemned as a farce by some of its own supporters.

In a statement, the party said its Central Committee elected Ali via secret ballot for the next national and regional elections. Five candidates had expressed their intention to contest the post. Those were Anil Nandlall, Dr Frank Anthony, Dr Vindhya Persaud, Irfaan Ali and Gail Teixeira.

Immediately prior to the election, Dr. Frank Anthony, Dr. Vindhya Persaud and Gail Teixeira withdrew from the contest, leaving Nandlall and Ali as the two contestants. Ali received 24 votes and Nandlall received 11 from the 35-member Central Committee, making Ali the presidential candidate.

PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, said after the vote that the four other contenders congratulated Ali and pledged support to work towards a PPP/C victory. Jagdeo explained that the 38-year-old Ali has been a member of the PPP for over 20 years and a part of the leadership for 15 years during which he held the position of finance secretary for several years.

Jagdeo noted that Ali served in the Cabinet for seven years, holding the portfolios of Minister of Housing and Water and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.
The general secretary noted that despite a most rigorous and competitive campaign, the party remains united and stands firmly behind the presidential candidate and pledges to work fervently to deliver victory at the polls.

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira said Ali brings youth and a lot of experience with a good track record as a former government minister. Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall said Ali was chosen as the presidential candidate after a systematic approach the party used through a voting process.

Expressing his disappointment at not being chosen as the presidential candidate, Nandlall said he thought that he would have won, but he is pledging his commitment towards working to the party’s victory.

Meanwhile, Dr. Vindhya Persaud said she withdrew because of many factors which she does not want to get into. Dr Persaud said the party now has to meet the voters and continue the campaign to win back the government.

“This process has just occurred and whatever decisions are made will be made at the leadership of the party,” she said, adding that “The party has clearly spoken, and democracy must prevail at the end of the day.”
Presidential candidate Ali said he sees himself as part of a broader team that will advance an agenda, which has as its primary focus the people of the country.

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Adding that he has the assurance of his comrades, Ali said he is committed to fully implementing the developmental programmes of the party.

“It relates to delivering greater prosperity and progress for all our people, regardless of race, religion or gender, as well as to ensure the advancement of our nation. I am glad that the campaign is over. I hope that the rumour-mongering, which was clearly intended to spread division in our ranks and to disparage me and the other candidates, will now stop,” Ali said.

Over the last 20 years, Ali said that he served the party at the regional and national levels.
“My work with the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) since 1992 has given me a unique perspective of the challenges facing our youths and the opportunities that exist to enable them to actively participate in the governance of our country and being part of the solution,” he said.

He continued: “My party’s decision to select me, as a young person, is testimony to our commitment to not only talk the talk about youth leaders, but actively facilitate this. I have been elected to the leadership of the party for almost 15 years and served in various capacities, including as finance secretary.”

Ali explained that his grounding in the PPP has imbued him with a deep sense of commitment to the struggles of all people, especially the vulnerable, and inspired a personal commitment to the people of Guyana.

“My experience in government has allowed me the opportunity to design and develop strategies and policies consistent with the PPP’s manifesto, to overcome hurdles in key sectors,” he noted.

He said with the experience he acquired both in government and as the finance sector spokesperson for the parliamentary opposition, this has positioned him to tackle some of the most severe challenges facing people in Guyana.

These, he said, include “the increasing levels of joblessness, increasing debt, deteriorating investor confidence, poor performance of the economy, poor implementation of the PSIP, incompetence in government, the diminishing of welfare programmes that benefited vulnerable groups, ill-informed decisions and taxation policies that have affected key sectors.”

The presidential candidate said he looks forward with great anticipation, and with the support of his comrades, to confront the many challenges that lie ahead to ensure that the PPP returns to government.