FORMER APNU Member of Parliament Deonarine “Ricky” Ramsaroop and a group of young Guyanese with backgrounds in the opposition camp have signalled their support for the policies and development agenda of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government following an engagement on Wednesday with Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.
Ramsaroop, along with Ravoldo Birbal and other former and current opposition figures, met with Jagdeo and expressed a desire to work with the government and contribute to the continued development of their communities and Guyana.
The latest engagement adds to a series of recent political realignments involving former opposition members and councillors who have publicly indicated an interest in associating with the governing PPP/C.
Ramsaroop brings political experience to the group. He served as a Member of Parliament for the Alliance for Change (AFC) as part of the APNU+AFC parliamentary opposition and was also a former AFC vice-chairman and senior executive member. He was involved in parliamentary debates on issues including natural resources, environmental protection, economic development and governance.
In 2025, Ramsaroop broke ranks with the AFC and joined the APNU political camp ahead of the September 2025 General and Regional Elections. The AFC subsequently cancelled his membership, along with those of Sherod Duncan and Juretha Fernandes, after confirming their alignment with APNU.
Ramsaroop and other former opposition figures subsequently met with Jagdeo in May 2026, where they expressed a desire to associate themselves with the PPP and praised the government’s stewardship of the economy, inclusive approach to governance and the scale of development taking place across the country.
The latest meeting brought together a broader group, including current APNU NDC Councillor Trevon Chichester, former PNC members Ewart Nacimento and Damion Dummett, and former AFC members Nicketa Ward, Abigail Rodney and Damion James.
Also attending were Mahindra Ishri, Pharamdai Roberts, Rajendra Rambarran, Keiton Holder, Kenswell Dejonge and Murwin Allison.
During the engagement, the participants shared their interest in working with the government and contributing to development initiatives in their respective communities.
Their position reflects a broader political shift in which some former members and supporters of opposition parties have opted to align themselves with, or express support for the governing party’s development programme.
The participants said their decision is based on a desire to contribute positively to national development and to work towards improving opportunities and living conditions for Guyanese.
The growing engagement between the PPP/C and individuals with backgrounds in the opposition also comes against the backdrop of Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy and an intensified government focus on infrastructure, housing, healthcare, education and other areas of national development.
For Ramsaroop, the latest engagement represents another step in his evolving political journey, having moved from senior involvement in the AFC to APNU and now publicly associating with the PPP/C’s development agenda.
The meeting also signals the government’s continued effort to broaden its political and community base by engaging persons from different political backgrounds around its development programme.
The participants are now expected to explore avenues through which they can work with the government and contribute to projects and initiatives aimed at advancing their communities and the wider national development agenda.