-Dr Jagdeo says, highlights copy-and-paste promises

AS members continue to walk away from the People’s National Congress Reform/A Partnership for National Unity (PNCR/ APNU), the party continues to roll out lofty plans to the electorate, some of which have already been implemented by the current government.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo ripped into those lofty promises on Thursday at his weekly press conference at Freedom House, Robb Street.

This year’s General and Regional Elections is expected to be held on September 1, marking five years since there was an attempt to subvert the will of the electorate by opposition figures.

Branding their plans as “childish and infantile”, Dr. Jagdeo said that the opposition is out of touch with the country’s economic and financial reality.

“It is like a person sends an idea to them, and they think that they must immediately convert that into policy without looking at the long-term indication for the country. They’re [Opposition] so sterile…Mr. Norton just recently promised to make UG free, when any sensible person in this country knows that university education is free now,” he said.

Ahead of the election, the PNCR has promised free tertiary education if re-elected to office.

However, the PPP government made tertiary education free from January 1, 2025.

The PNC, on its website, noted that during its first 100 days in office, there will be “no more university fees with immediate effect”.

Under this administration, tuition is free for all new and continuing Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students.

Further, the PPP General Secretary pointed to the dismal track record of the Opposition, noting that while in office from 2015-2020, the party placed hardships on the backs of citizens, especially workers and children, through the implementation of hefty taxes, and the retraction of the schoolchildren’s grant.

Further, he stated that the upcoming election will be about the competition of ideas and competency.

Even in light of the recycled and copy-and-paste promises by the Opposition, Dr. Jagdeo wishes them well.

Dr. Jagdeo also highlighted how the PPP has stuck by people’s side and continues to foster development at all levels.

He said: “You will see that we’ve gone way beyond what we promised; way beyond what we put in our Manifesto. We’re not a party of underachievers; that is why so many people are joining the People’s Progressive Party. They see this as a party of progress, development, and a party of unity that is bringing all the people of our country together. And so, we will campaign on our record, and it gives a phenomenal record of transformation.”

HAEMORRHAGING

Since PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton has taken the reigns, the party continues to haemorrhage, with members leaving almost every day.

James Bond, who has been a key figure in the PNCR, has thrown his support behind President Dr. Irfaan Ali, signalling backing him for a second term.

The late Amna Ally, former General Secretary, had also walked away after exposing numerous instabilities within the party.

After more than 54 years of service to the party, Ally resigned.

Earlier this week, Chairman of Region Four and PNCR member, Daniel Seeram announced, via Facebook, that he was throwing his support behind President Ali and Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo ahead of the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

Meanwhile, during his press conference, Dr. Jagdeo noted that many opposition members have been calling Freedom House and meeting him, expressing total dissatisfaction with the leadership in both the PNCR and the Alliance For Change (AFC).

These very members believe that the opposition cannot even manage their own internal affairs, much less an entire country.