–highlights APNU’s reliance on racial division to maintain its dwindling support
WHILE highlighting his party’s track record of fulfilling promises and improving lives, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo criticised the opposition for relying on racial divisions instead of presenting viable development plans.
Speaking at a recent public meeting at Mahaica Market Square, East Coast Demerara, Jagdeo emphasised the significant development Guyanese have experienced since the government took office in 2020, particularly noting that Afro-Guyanese are better off under the PPP compared to the opposition.
“The only thing that APNU has going for it; it has no history of achievements, and it has no plan for the future. So, the only thing that it pushes today is racism, trying to divide our people along racial lines, and that’s not going to work in these elections,” Dr. Jagdeo said, adding: “Afro Guyanese have made more progress than under the PPP than they ever [did] under any PNC government.”
“We haven’t forgotten those five years, and so when they come with promises again, they have no intention of delivering on those promises,” he said, referencing the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)’s previous stint in office from 2015-2020.
Dr. Jagdeo, who also serves as Guyana’s Vice President, pointed to the PPP’s broad-based and inclusive approach to governance.
He told the mammoth crowd: “We work for all Guyana. We work for Indo-Guyanese. We work for Amerindian Guyanese, we work for Afro-Guyanese. We work for mixed Guyanese, because we know that our country can only achieve greatness and prosperity if all of our people, regardless of their race or their religion, they make progress too, that their families can do well.”
With elections looming, Dr. Jagdeo contrasted the PPP’s overwhelming support to APNU’s reliance on division to maintain its dwindling support.
He stated: “That’s the difference between the PPP, and that’s why, if you look at the crowds across Guyana, you will see our crowds are growing. So that’s the only thing that APNU can spread today-division and racism.”
His remarks underscore the PPP’s campaign strategy, which focuses not only on its record of national development but also on promoting inclusivity. He further highlighted major development initiatives planned for the party’s next term, including cash transfers to families, deeper tax reductions, and affordable, stable electricity.
After inheriting an economy plagued by massive unemployment and burdensome taxes, the Vice President highlighted the transformation of Guyana into a country where citizens no longer feel hopeless.
Since assuming office in 2020, he noted, the government has introduced no new taxes and implemented significant tax cuts to improve living standards. Tens of billions of dollars have been injected annually into citizens’ pockets through these measures.
For example, the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, previously removed by the coalition administration, has been reinstated by the PPP/C government, putting approximately $11 billion more per year into the hands of families and benefitting around 200,000 children.
Jagdeo also highlighted a transportation grant set to be implemented in the new term, with details on the total amount to be announced tomorrow. The government’s programmes and policies, he said, target every group, with increases in pension and public assistance. Periodic cash grants, such as the $100,000 distributed previously, will continue, alongside the newborn grant of $100,000 for every child born in Guyana.
Support for key industries, including rice, mining, and fishing, will continue, while tax reductions remain a central policy priority, Dr. Jagdeo added.