Large faction of PPP members upset with Chanderpal’s removal

Jan 04, 2010 News

…afraid to speak openly for fear of reprimand – Former Party Executive

Khemraj Ramjattan the current Alliance for Change Chariman and former Peoples Progressive Party Executive Member says that the full page appeal that appeared in the New Year’s edition of this publication replicates accurate feelings of a large faction of the PPP membership.
This he said includes the leading members, adding that he knows that the names attached to the appeal are fictitious.

Navin Chandarpal

He however insists that he knows who are responsible for the full page appeal, adding that they are senior members of the party who are afraid to speak out for fear of reprimand.
According to Ramjattan, there has been no transformation in the party to that of open democracy where there is an accommodation of opposing views.
“It’s typical of the PPP when any critique comes from the membership.”
Ramjattan said that it was no surprise to see that despite the fact that Navin Chanderpal is a strong base leader, there is not one voice of support for him.
The full page publication that appeared on January 1, is attributed to, “Ganga Kawal, Basdeo Singh and 11 other PPP Diehards.”
In that “Open Appeal to Leaders and Members of the PPP” it charges that, “We have long been concerned about the lack of tolerance by the President Jagdeo administration. Now we feel it has reached a new depth with the removal of Navin Chandarpal from the cabinet.”
The publication also stated, “Some of us have known Navin since student days at UG when he led the resistance to the PNC’s assaults on the University as President of the UG Student Society. Some of us were in the PYO when he was the First Secretary and deeply involved in the struggle led by Dr Jagan against the PNC dictatorship. We remember that he gave up his academic career to lead the PYO when requested by Dr. Jagan. Navin is a real product of Dr Jagan and the PPP.”
The ‘Diehards’ noted that they have heard many PPP members from various parts of the country privately condemning the President’s action against Chandarpal.
They added that the condemnations would not bring changes if they remain separate individual actions unheard by the administration and the public.
“The removal of Navin (Chandarpal) is an attack on the PPP. We believe it is part of a scheme to undermine the ranks of the PPP which are loyal to the policies of Dr. Jagan. We cannot be sure what are the plans of the President in relation to 2011.”
The authors of the appeal said that what they are concerned that, “the PPP hard core is being marginalised in the government and a new band, termed by one commentator as “the new private sector”, is becoming dominant and all powerful. In the process, the image of the PPP is being tarnished.”
It also went on to state that the government is repeatedly taking actions that are inconsistent with the working people ideology of the Party of Dr. Jagan.
“We are appealing to you because we believe that the PPP is still the best Party for Guyana. Its reputation, however, is being soiled by those un¬-PPP-like practices of the Jagdeo government. The Party runs the danger of suffering at the next election if it does not restore its traditions and practices. The country will be the loser.”