TIME FOR “THE DONALD” TO STEP FORWARD

Jul 06, 2008 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

With just under one month remaining before the Congress of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), it is time for all those who have any aspirations to the Presidency to step forward and announce their intentions. The PPP hosts its Congress during the first week in August at Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara.

For too long all we have had is speculation as to the persons who are likely to be interested in the position. However, not many have publicly stated their intentions. It is time this be done so that the delegates to the Congress can venture their positions on this important issue.

The PPP has never found itself in a position where its highest decision-making body has had to make a decision as to the party’s Presidential candidate. It was almost unthinkable for the party to have considered anyone other than Cheddi Jagan at its Presidential candidate for the 1992 elections. He died in 1997 and the party decided on his wife as his successor.

She got sick and Bharrat Jagdeo assumed the Presidency in 1999. It was inconceivable that going into the 2001 and 2006 elections that the ruling party’s Congress would have dared consider anyone other than the incumbent as its Presidential candidate.

Things are going to be different for 2011. The incumbent, Bharrat Jagdeo cannot run for a third term. Thus, the forthcoming Congress of the ruling party for the first time ever is faced with a situation where there is no certainty as to who will be its Presidential candidate.

Also, since this is the last Congress of the party before the 2011 elections, it is likely that the delegates in attendance will want to ensure that it develops policies that will take the party to victory in those polls.

This means that the Congress will have to have some idea as to who will be its presidential candidate, so as to synergize the proposed policies with the personality of whoever is likely to lead the party. It is therefore likely that someone will have the courage to ask the Congress to consider a mechanism to determine the Presidential candidate.

It may be too early for the Congress to actually pick a Presidential candidate, something that plays into the hands of the Executive who have traditionally exercised tremendous powers in between congresses. However, even if the forthcoming Congress cannot select a Presidential candidate, they can determine the mechanism through which this candidate can be determined.

In the interest of internal party democracy, it is equally important that the delegates have an idea as to who are the likely candidates. So far no person has indicated with certainty which leaders are likely to be interested for consideration.

So far all we have had is speculation as to who is likely to be in contention. We have heard, for example, names such as Ralph Ramkarran, Clement Rohee, Robert Persaud and even Roger Luncheon. However, none of these individuals have come forward and thrown their hats in the ring. I invite them to do so.

I certainly am hedging my hopes on ‘The Donald’ stepping into the ring. I really see no competition once he decides to run. Of course, he may need to get in shape both physically and literally but once ‘The Donald’ decides to run, he is someone that I believe will receive the support of all segments of the party.

I have said before that he is one of the most decent persons that there is, not just in the party but in the country. ‘The Donald’ is a decent human being who I believe is beyond corruption. As General Secretary he has gained considerable political experience and I believe that he therefore has what it takes.

His only shortcoming is that he does not have ministerial experience but given the record of many of those who have such experience, this is not so much a liability as one may assume.

‘The Donald’, I believe, can bridge the differences between the party and the government. Uncle Freddie says these differences have become almost irreconcilable under President Jagdeo. I do not know how far the party has drifted away from the government.

What I do believe, however, is that if there is anyone who has the wherewithal to bring the government and the party into greater synergy, it has to be ‘The Donald’. So to ‘The Donald’, I say throw your hat in the ring. Your party needs you! Your country needs you!

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TIME FOR “THE DONALD” TO STEP FORWARD

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