– Ali defends ability to run a PPP/C gov’t, with or without Jagdeo

By Lisa Hamilton

ALTHOUGH some feel differently, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential candidate Irfaan Ali is confident that he could lead a PPP/C government without the shadow of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo hovering over him.

At the Party’s year-end press conference on Monday, where Ali was present alongside Jagdeo, he assured media operatives that he is independent, and will be the one to have the final say in a government under his leadership.

“I’ll be leading a team. There could be failure, but if there are issues, ultimately, I am responsible. So, I would be responsible for the government, and the leader of the government. And I can assure you that I’m independent, and my position will be independent in the collective; that is, the Cabinet,” Ali said.

It was the first time since July 2019 that Ali has been present at the party’s weekly press conference, which customarily features just the Opposition Leader.

The PPP/C Presidential candidate defended the Opposition Leader as being crucial to the party’s leadership, and someone who would definitely be part of a government led by him.

“The fact is,” he said, “Mr. Jagdeo is the General Secretary of the PPP. He is also an asset that, as I pointed out before, will be used in government. So he’ll be part of the team, and the collective responsibility. And the collective success of us as a government depends heavily on how effective and efficient that team works and achieves results. And at the end of the day, I want a team that is dynamic,” he added.

Asked whether there would be any change as to who would head the party’s list into elections, Ali responded in the negative, saying that Jagdeo will remain in that capacity.

He went on to say that while the party has not discussed the matter, he has no issue with it, as the General Secretary has “historically” led the party’s list.

“I am not worried at all about that,” Ali said. “I am very clear on my ability to lead; I’m very clear of the team approach, and I want to say to you that that does not pose any threat.”

STILL NO CLARITY
Meanwhile, since November 2019, Jagdeo has been shying away from stating his position on Ali’s desire to appoint him as Vice-President should the PPP win the coming election.

“I made a statement that I would like to have him in the government as the Vice- President. I’ve asked him… But he’s here now. I’ve asked him, and I’ve communicated this with him. That much I can tell you,” Ali said before passing the baton on to Jagdeo.

The Opposition Leader responded: “My position has still remained the same,” he said. “Dr. Ali will have my 100 per cent support. I’ll work for him, as I said before, to become the most successful president ever. But I’ve not made a decision as yet as to position in the government. We will discuss that further a little bit later.”

Jagdeo’s response to the same question weeks ago took a similar position, where he claimed that he had given “no serious thought to where and what role” he would play in a PPP government.

The proposal made by the PPP Presidential Candidate was met with great backlash back then, as it was made even after the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) struck down the High Court and Court of Appeal rulings regarding a third term for the former President.

Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon had accused the party of attempting to ease the Opposition Leader through the “back door” into the seat of power.

TESTING THE WATERS

“They are testing the waters, I would say,” Harmon had said, adding: “They are testing the patience of the Guyanese people, and their tolerance for lawlessness. Because, clearly, there is a decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice that says that this gentleman cannot be the president or prime minister. And so, putting him as vice-president, so when the President’s gone, he can act as President, that is really getting it through the back door.”

When Ali was selected as presidential candidate back in January 2019, grassroot supporters were outraged, contending that his ‘baggage’ will ‘sink’ the party’s chances of winning the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

Moments after it was confirmed that Ali was elected over former Attorney-General Anil Nandlall, PPP/C supporters expressed profound disappointment at the Party’s choice, as they flooded the Internet to register their concerns.

Meanwhile, Celrose Caravaio, a relative of the former Minister of Local Government under the PPP/C regime, Norman Whittaker, questioned why Ali was elected over former Culture and Sport Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony and other candidates who have cleaner slates.

However, speaking to those who question his leadership, Ali said: “I’m not into negative campaigning. I have a positive outlook about our country; I have a positive outlook about this campaign. I am not going to burden myself with negativity.”