PPP hunkers down to ‘old heads’...Jagdeo leads vote-getters in 31st congress

PPP hunkers down to ‘old heads’…Jagdeo leads vote-getters in 31st congress

Dec 20, 2016 News

– Anthony, Teixeira, Ramotar, Nandlall in top five

By Leonard Gildarie

Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, has discovered his popularity within the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) with critical internal voting Saturday in Essequibo. The results had him leading the pack by almost 100 votes.
Jagdeo managed to amass 718 votes from the delegates that reportedly numbered over 1,200 at the Cottonfield Secondary School where the party held its 31st Congress.
The elections to the Central Committee, the forum which carries out the mandate for the congress– the party’s highest decision-making body– was widely expected to be the high point following last year’s first loss at general elections after 23 years in power.
There was talk of some changes, with the party shedding some of the older folks. Jagdeo’s tactical rallying call Saturday for the party to strengthen strongholds, woo Opposition supporters and depend on old stalwarts for experience, would have given him a further advantage.
It is believed that Jagdeo will make another shot at the Presidency in 2020 after a court decision earlier this year cleared him to run for third term. There has already been an appeal to the Chief Justice’s ruling.
A constitutional law passed over a decade ago had allowed for only two terms for a president but a court challenge had argued that it was wrong and trampled on voters’ right of choices.
Former Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, received 98 fewer than the Opposition Leader. In recent years, Anthony, who led the party’s youth arm, Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), has emerged as one of the most popular within the party.
Gail Teixeira, the party’s Chief Whip in the National Assembly, was the only female in the top 10, coming in third with 583 votes. She has been vocal in press conferences held by the party.
Rounding off the top ten were former President Donald Ramotar with 570; former Attorney General Anil Nandlall at 548; General Secretary Clement Rohee at 522; Ganga Persaud at 512; Irfaan Ali 511; Zulfikar Mustapha at 496 and Shyam Nokta at 495.
Indra Chandarpal, who has been vocal for women’s rights, came in number 11 with 490 with former Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon next at 488.

Delegates, observers and other invitees during the opening of the PPP’s 31st Congress on Saturday, on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two.

The rest for the top 20 are Paul Sukhai 460; Nigel Dharamlall 453; Dr Vindhya Persaud 439; Hydar Ally, 422; Vickram Bharrat, 408; Dharamkumar Seeraj/ 393; Komal Chand, 378; and Colin Croal at 360.
The other persons who received the nod to the Central Committee were Alister Charlie 356; Brian Allicock 326; Neil Kumar 321; David Armogan 317; Dr. Jennnifer Westford 304; Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo 289; Clinton Collymore 287; Kwame McCoy 281; Dr. Bheri Ramsaran 278; Faizal Jaffaraly 277; Majeed Hussain 267; Rickey Ramdat 260; Claire Singh 255; Anand Persaud 242 and Mitra Devi Ali at 230.
Missing from the congress was former Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud, who has reportedly migrated. He had been featuring as a top vote-getter.
Harripersaud Nokta, who had been a long-time stalwart, will not be in the Central Committee. However, his son, Shyam, is in the top 10.
The three-day congress which ended yesterday was targeted by the party as the launch-pad to regain power in 2020 when general elections are slated.
On Saturday, Jagdeo in his rallying call, urged party members to strengthen the traditional base, and woo supporters of the Coalition to reflect an inclusionary approach.
During the opening session on Saturday, party leaders painted a black picture of the coalition’s performance, with Jagdeo insisting that the administration practiced ethnic cleansing of PPP supporters from Government office.
He also singled out the recent national budget, the economy and taxes for criticisms.
When the Central Committee meets, it is expected to choose members of Executive Council which will then select the General Secretary of the party.
The selection for the General Secretary is reportedly being hotly contested.