The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) yesterday announced that it will hold its long-delayed 30th Congress in August at Port Mourant, Berbice, the birthplace of its founder, the late president Cheddi Jagan.
Coming in the aftermath of the erosion of support for the party at the last general elections and its loss of control of Parliament, the locale for the congress is seen as important.
At a press briefing yesterday at the PPP’s headquarters Robb Street, party executive Clement Rohee disclosed that this year he would be chairing the central congress committee.
“The committee has decided that the venue for our congress will be at the J.C Chandisingh Secondary School at Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice from August 2nd to the 4th….This was the site of our 28th Congress which was held in 2002…and after that our last congress was held in 2008 at the Diamond Secondary school,” Rohee stated.
President Donald Ramotar, who is also serving in the capacity of party General Secretary, will be the key figure at the congress.
Rohee said that already there has been mobilisation to have its members aware of the date and venue. There will be delegates and observers from across the country and Diaspora chapters’ representatives with the two arms of the party, the Progressive Youth Organization and the Women’s Progressive Organization. In addition, fraternal partners, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union, the Guyana Agricultural Producers Association and the Rice Producers Association will also be participating.
“The party has already begun mobilising its resources and word has already been sent out officially to all our party groups, district committees [and] regional committees to alert them to the date of our congress and the venue,” he said.
Further, Rohee pointed out that this year’s congress will be the first, in 50 years, that they will not have either of the two of their founder leaders, deceased presidents Cheddi and Janet Jagan.
Observers say the Congress will face key questions. These include whether the positions of General Secretary and the presidency shall be occupied by the same person. These positions were separated following the death of Dr Cheddi Jagan but they are once again being held by President Ramotar.
The loss of support in key Corentyne strongholds to the AFC at the last elections and declining voter support will also likely feature on the Congress agenda. The party will also have to assess the loss of party stalwarts Moses Nagamootoo and Ralph Ramkarran. Nagamootoo’s defection to the AFC and his drawing of support from the PPP/C on the Corentyne has let to acrimonious exchanges between the two sides. Ramotar recently attacked Nagamootoo at an observance at Port Mourant for the Jagans. The party has also been hammered by concerns over widespread allegations of corruption. Ramkarran departed in a controversy over a column he penned on this problem.
The party’s experience in the opposition-led National Assembly and the possibility of a snap election will also likely surface in discussions. In August, 2011 the PPP’s Central Committee agreed to postpone holding its constitutionally due 30th Congress to focus on the November 2011 general elections.
