| GEORGETOWN, Guyana — President Bharrat Jagdeo says the ruling people’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will make a clean sweep at Regional and General Elections in Guyana due in less than two years as the party remains strong and has the support of the masses.
Jagdeo said on Sunday at an event to mark the 13th anniversary of the death of former President Cheddi Jagan that, despite running with a new presidential candidate, the PPP will continue to govern Guyana.
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| Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo. AFP PHOTO |
“I am sure that whatever we emerge out of with that’s process, because we have a process.. a process that we used throughout and a process that the central committee of the party endorsed again and that process will be sued and whatever emerge out of that process we will have to respect,” Jagdeo said
He noted that, despite this new front runner for the PPP, success is looming at the 2011 polls.
“ I can assure you our party is united and strong ready for the 2011 elections so that we can move forward and win those elections, that the key prize whatever happens, we will emerging stronger from that process,” the president said.
So far, People’s Progressive Party General Secretary Donald Ramotar, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, Central Executive Committee member Moses Nagamootoo, and Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran have all expressed interest in being the party’s candidate for the next general elections, constitutionally due next year.
Jagdeo, meanwhile, added that 60 years after the PPP was formed and after it has consistently led every single struggle that mattered in this country during those years, “The party remains as strong as ever.”
“We remain strong because we have defied every odd; we remain strong because the various attempts to side track us, to get rid of us, have all failed; we remain strong because in spite of the rigging of elections, in spite of street protest, in spite of support for criminals for political purposes – the PPP is in power and will remain in power for a very long time in the future,” Jagdeo declared confidently.
The Guyanese leader, who is serving in his final constitutional term as president, has reiterated his government’s willingness to work with the opposition.
“What we want is closer engagement so that at the political level we can work together in the interest of or people, all the people of this country and there is great scope for that….but let me make it clear that in engagement we are not going to be dominated, that’s one thing that is clear, “ the president asserted.
Jagdeo explained that his government is interested in working with all stakeholders for the good of Guyana.
“We are always open to ideas, we are always open to new partners and the force that’s will be driving us must be the interest of the people of this country … so we will not work with Trojan Horses,” Jagdeo said.
This is not the first time Jagdeo has made this call for partnering with the opposition.
Opposition leader Robert Corbin had indicated his party’s willingness to move in this direction but said the People’s National Congress reform (PNCR) is more interested in shared governance before next year’s general elections.
“The PNCR believes that in the interest of progress in Guyana a system of shared governance should be discussed among all stakeholders and implemented before the 2011 National and Regional Elections,” Opposition Leader Robert Corbin had said. (Caribnet) |