Moontown

Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo. AFP PHOTO

President Bharrat Jagdeo’s constitutional two terms in office as Head of State comes to an end in 2011 and following the polls there were major speculations that there may be a referendum to see the Russian trained economist contest as the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) presidential candidate in the 2011 elections.

But Jagdeo while addressing a function late Friday evening here said he is not interested in another term in office and dismissed as “speculation” that he might find a way to maneuver himself into a third term.

“Let me tonight clear this up –  I have no intention, no desire, nothing to run for another term so all of this speculation out there; it’s just that - speculation,” said Jagdeo

However, he stopped short of saying whether he supports or disapproves of the removal of two-term limits from the constitution.

Jagdeo was appointed Head of State in August 1999 after then president, Janet Jagan stepped down due to health reasons.

He contested the 2001 general elections as a the PPP presidential candidate, which his party won after grabbing over 50 percent of the votes and repeated this is 2006

There has been speculations over the past two months that Jagdeo may be looking to make constitutional changes and meet with the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR). Robert Corbin to remove the two term limit from the constitution.

A mid-July 2009 poll conducted by the North American Teachers Association (NACTA) showed that Jagdeo is the most popular politician in Guyana and if he contests for the presidency in the next elections he will win outright.

The Guyanese leader assured that he would be on the campaign trail for the next person.

Out of the 780 adults surveyed, 51 percent approved of Jagdeo’s performance as president; as compared to the 36 percent who disapprove and 13 percent who opted not to answer the question and 50 percent supports his third term.