If Jagdeo isn’t the nominee, he will largely determine who the candidate is

Apr 21, 2018 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Reference is made to missive by one Balgobin (KN Apr 7) arguing that Bharrat Jagdeo will turn to Ralph Ramkarran as possible Presidential candidate if the CCJ rules against a third term. Many disagree, saying “Frank Anthony, Anil Nandlall, Irfaan Ali are potential replacements” (SN April 8), if the CCJ reverses the ruling of Guyana’s Court of Appeal disqualifying Jagdeo from running. That ruling should come within a couple months.
Jagdeo is expected to be the Presidential nominee if the CCJ sustains the ruling. Supporters of PPP and even some APNU supporters want him as the next President. Many blunders have been committed by the ruling Coalition. It has also failed to court supporters of the PPP that crossed over in their tens of thousands to vote for the Coalition in May 2015.
Elections are some twenty-five months away and anything can happen by then. Oil money will also be flowing and it can reverse the fortunes of the incumbent alliance. If Jagdeo is not the nominee, he will largely determine who the candidate is.
The three PPP Presidential contenders mentioned above are indeed seen as the frontrunners to replace Jagdeo should he decline the nomination or be rendered ineligible by the court. But one cannot discount others as potential contenders, like the brilliant Charles Ramson Jr., an adept outsider Ralph Ramkarran, or even Civic member Dr Peter Ramsaroop.
Ramson is loved by the youths, has a very clean image, and is well versed in oil management – all qualities needed to win an election. Ramsaroop also has a clean image and articulates a vision for national development and racial healing.
The aging Ramkarran (erstwhile PPPite and a Jaganite) comes closest in likeability and popularity to unseat the PNC from office. He is widely respected throughout the country among the political and business elites and legal fraternity. He writes objectively and fearlessly. He will give a knockout blow to APNU+AFC with the help of the younger stalwarts like Ramson, Ramsaroop, and those other figures.
Balgobin, writing in KN (April 7) correctly analyzes the political arithmetic in Guyana and need for the PPP to attract crossover ethnic support to win an election. Ramkarran has that kind of appeal. Balgobin feels Jagdeo will surprise Guyanese by consulting with Mr. Ramkarran on presidential nominees. That will make news.
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram

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