PPP has been able to expand its political reach to all corners of the Guyanese society

May 02, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

There are a number of interesting facts regarding our political history, especially since the introduction of mass-based competitive politics during the 1950’s. Political power has since alternated between the PPP and the PNC, in the case of the latter through undemocratic means.

Prior to 1964, the PPP won three consecutive elections, namely 1953, 1957 and 1961 until it was engineered out of office by way of constitutional engineering in the 1964 elections. For nearly three decades, the PNC rigged its way to power until it was forced to agree on democratic reforms on the eve of the October 5, 1992 general and regional elections which was decisively won by the PPP/C under the leadership of Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

One note-worthy political fact was the multi-ethnic appeal of the PPP ever since its formation on January 1950 which was responsible for its massive victory in the 1953 elections, the first that was held under universal adult suffrage.

That appeal has not diminished despite several prior attempts to divide the party along ethnic and ideological lines. In fact the PPP has now evolved as the largest multi-racial party in Guyana, encompassing a much bigger universe of the Guyanese electorate as evidenced from the results of the recent national and local government elections.

A second, and perhaps more significant point to note is the ideological consistency of the PPP which has never wavered from its pro-people orientation. This has been, and remained a defining characteristic of the PPP and all PPP/C administrations. It is this people-oriented, pro-poor approach to governance that is mainly responsible for the party’s longevity and electoral successes.

Thirdly, no other political party in Guyana has done more than the PPP to bring about national reconciliation and a climate of peace and security in the country. This is manifested in the fact that the PPP is today the largest political party in the country. Unlike the days of the ‘communist’ hysteria when ideology and race was used against the party by reactionary groups, the PPP/C administration is now generally recognized for its capacity to enhance the quality of life of the Guyanese across the political and ethnic spectrum of the country.

Guyanese are today no longer influenced by the ‘politics of race’ which seeks to capitalize on ‘ethnic insecurity’. The economic and social gains of the PPP/C administration have pushed the race agenda of the political opposition in the backwaters of our extant political dispensation. This explains the inroads made by the PPP/C in what was once perceived as PNC strongholds in areas such as Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam among others.

The fact is that the PPP has been able to expand its political reach to all corners of the Guyanese society. Unprecedented growth rates, transformational changes and the massive human development agenda of the current administration has engendered a new thinking among the populace which is changing the political dynamics away from race and ethnicity to one that is more results-oriented. Political parties are evaluated on their ability to deliver on manifesto promises. This puts the PPP/C administration ahead of the curve.

Sincerely,

Hydar Ally

competitive, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Guyanese, Hydar Ally, society

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