Son of the late presidents Cheddi and Janet Jagan, Dr Cheddi (Joey) Jagan Jr, yesterday formally endorsed the PPP/Civic, clarifying however that he will be a part of the civic component of the party.
Jagan is on the PPP/C’s national list of candidates, which according to campaign manager Robert Persaud, represents a balance of ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation, youth and professionals; a makeup that would ensure development and progress in Guyana.
Reading from a prepared statement at a press briefing at Freedom House, Robb Street yesterday, Jagan admitted that he has been a vocal critic of the administration for a number of years. However, he said, on occasion, “I have praised certain paths of progress which this government and party have followed.”
He added that he was not interested in power and said “I am more interested in conscience and I feel that I can add to the humility, conscience and incorruptibility… I seek no position no material gain or no moral high ground – I am just coming home to ensure President Cheddi’s legacy.”
Jagan stated too that presidential candidate Donald Ramotar had secured his commitment since he has a positive history of working with his father and in his estimation was the best person to support for the November 28 regional and general elections.
Following up on the barbs thrown by Persaud, Clement Rohee and President Bharrat Jagdeo at Moses Nagamootoo, who recently left the PPP/C to join the Alliance For change (AFC), Jagan questioned why the PPP veteran was abandoning the Cheddi Jagan legacy.
Stating that as he has “come home to strengthen the conscience” of the PPP/C, Nagamootoo has chosen to depart, he questioned, “Why does Moses leave as Mr Ramotar and the PPP/C face a critical election?”
He accused Nagamootoo of casting aspersions and “outright fabrications,” but said he would address these on the campaign trail.
Meanwhile, speaking about the PPP/C nominations, Persaud noted that three lists—the national top up, the geographical and the regional—were presented.
The total number of candidates on these lists, he said, is 435.
“For us it was not merely just presenting a list but ensuring that we had a blend or a composition that reflected the make up of our society; that presented the best skills and experience and youth and competence which is so necessary to the development and progress and this country…”, he said.
The geographical spread of the lists is significant, he said, with 31% coming from the hinterland, 20% from the urban centres and 40% from the rural regions.
Persaud told the media that a lot of emphasis was placed on gender as well and that the party exceeded the constitutional requirements for the national top up and geographical lists.
In terms of ethnicity, he said the lists are “reflective of the diverse ethnic make up of our country”. The make up of the lists, he said, was 49% Indian Guyanese, 31% African Guyanese, 9% Amerindian, 2% Portuguese, 2% Chinese and 7% mixed ethnicity.
Another element of the lists, he explained was the diversity of religious affiliation. “We have Christians with 46%, Hindus 40%, Muslims 14%,” he said, adding that the party continues to work with civil groups.
The list also reflects youth and experience as a lot of emphasis was placed on profession and skills, he stressed.
