Dear Editor,
It is never a good thing to ‘tell tales out of school’; however, for certain reasons there can be exceptions to the rule lest a falsehood having been peddled time and again, and never debunked by those in authority, can be believed and eventually become a historical fact.
Andre Haynes in an article titled: ‘Impressions of the Jagdeo presidency ten years on’ published in the August 11, 2009 edition of Stabroek News wrote:
“(The party leadership was said to be split between Moses Nagamootoo and Ralph Ramkarran as the two likely choices until Jagan suggested Jagdeo as a third option eventually securing the consensus.)”
Mr Haynes placed this particular sentence in brackets to provide some further explanation to readers; regrettably, however, he based his explanation on “it is said,” which is nothing but journalistic slackness used as a cover up for introducing his own opinion to a very important event in the political history of the PPP.
What are the facts?
When Mrs Jagan took the personal decision to demit office as President of the Republic, the Central Committee of the PPP met to discuss the way forward. Following an analysis of the political situation obtaining in the country at that time and an examination of the constitutional steps that would have to be followed to effect a smooth transition of power from Mrs Jagan to the comrade who would eventually be president of the country, Mrs Jagan put forward five names for consideration by the Central Committee.
Comrades Jagdeo and Ramkarran were among the five comrades named. The other three comrades are still active and high up in the party and government.
Nagamootoo’s name was not among the five names put forward by Janet Jagan. All five names were examined one by one by the Central Committee. In the end Comrade Jagdeo’s name prevailed and the Central Committee unanimously endorsed his selection.
There was never any split in the leadership of the party whether Comrade Nagamootoo or Comrade Ramkarran should be supported.
Comrade Jagdeo’s name was not thrown in as a third option. Indeed, his name was there from the very beginning of the process of selection from the five recommended by Janet Jagan for consideration by the Central Committee.
More can be said, but like I said it is never good to ‘tell tales out of school.’ In any event, now is not the time to do so but just to suffice, half a tale is better than none.
Yours faithfully,
Clement J. Rohee
Member of the Central and
Executive Committee PPP
Editor’s note
The statement about the party leadership being split between Moses Nagamootoo and Ralph Ramkarran which Minister Rohee cites, refers to the period after President Cheddi Jagan’s death, and not to the time when President Janet Jagan decided to step down, as he assumes.
