-defends statements made at Babu Jaan

ATTEMPTS to misrepresent the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) will not be tolerated, as General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo has once again emphasised that the party will defend its solid track record against those detractors.

The General Secretary defended his position during his press conference on Thursday at Freedom House.

At the time, he was referring to a Kaieteur News’ article which stated that the PPP government will only support non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that promote progress.

Jagdeo said: “Of course! Why would we fund an NGO that opposes the ruling party? The NGOs are not supposed to oppose parties or not; they’re non-governmental organisations to do either advocacy or to do work. You have two types of NGOs, advocacy types, and those that actually do things; you know, go out and feed people and stuff like that. I thought political parties oppose other political parties; not NGOs.”

He once again underscored that the government will support those who work for the people, and this year’s budget has shown that support.

The criticism of Jagdeo’s statements stemmed from his remarks at the Dr. Cheddi Jagan memorial event held on Sunday in Berbice, where he called out those NGOs with hidden agendas, and a perceived hatred for the PPP.

The ruling PPP has a strong track record of not only staying true to its promises, but also uniting the people, Jagdeo said.

“We stand for bringing people together. We have a vision of the future that’s clearly outlined. No other party has a vision of the future. If you don’t have a vision, you don’t know where you want to take the country, and you can’t have supported policies and programmes. They don’t have a single plan for anything in any sector,” Jagdeo, who also serves as Guyana’s Vice-President, said.

One conversation with the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali or any Cabinet ministers will not be deficient, Jagdeo said, while underscoring that they can outline the party’s plans for the country.

He then said: “We don’t have to go and look for a textbook or come up with what we’re going to be working on in the future that is how we approach it.”

Additionally, while these NGOs attempt to be the voice of the people, Jagdeo highlighted their non-interaction with citizens.

He further lamented the deafening silence of those NGOs which are now preaching democracy, when the former APNU+AFC coalition attempted to subvert the will of the people in 2020.

He then pointed to the bravery of those who stood in defence of the country’s democracy, many of whom, he noted, still bear physical scars, with some carrying pellets in their bodies as lasting reminders of their sacrifice.

“These haters of the PPP, we will fight them; if you come after us, as I said before, we’re going to defend our legacy. We’re going to strongly defend ourselves; don’t come after us. Don’t come after us and misrepresent us if you don’t want to get the response, because, gone are the days when they controlled everything and lied about us. That is what kept this country divided for a long time; these naysayers. Every day, every single day, they’re at it…” Jagdeo stated.