While the Central Committee of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is due to meet this weekend, the party’s General Secretary Clement Rohee says that he does not know if a date for the party’s next congress will be set.
“No, I am not aware of that but the Central Committee is meeting this weekend,” Rohee said when asked by Stabroek News if a date will be set.
The last PPP congress was held in Berbice in August, 2013 and one is due this year, according to the party’s constitution. But sources have told Stabroek News that the issue is not being discussed by the hierarchy of the party and it is very unlikely that it will come off this year. A major shakeup of the current executive is expected whenever the party’s congress is held.
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who is currently Leader of the Opposition, has said that he could not say when the congress will be held since the decision is made by the party’s Central Committee, but that he is ready anytime the date is announced. “If it’s held tomorrow or next year I don’t care,” he has said.
Over a year after the party was ousted from office, sources close to the PPP say that a clash has erupted in its leadership, with Jagdeo at the centre of the maelstrom and the crucial party congress is likely to be deferred as officials tussle to consolidate their positions.
Former PPP Executive Ralph Ramkarran has said that it would be unprecedented for a PPP Congress to be postponed except if an issue of national importance gets in the way. He believes that Jagdeo and General Secretary Clement Rohee may not be keen on it being held this year as they would have the most to lose.
Jagdeo, however, dismissed reports of infighting in the PPP and has said that the public will see a united party heading into the 2020 General and Regional elections.
He declared that the PPP has no place for people like Ramkarran and that the new face of the party would comprise more young persons, women and a mixture of races.
Observers have said that Jagdeo’s declarations hints that he may be trying to get rid of the PPP’s old guard and replacing them with younger persons he can control.
When he was questioned about his own ambitions for the 2020 presidency, Jagdeo, an already two-term president said, “2020? I am yet to decide on that. It’s a long time away.”
A court ruling by then Chief Justice Ian Chang in July last year appeared to clear the way for Jagdeo to seek a third term though the decision will likely be challenged in the high courts.
“People don’t contest posts there (at congress), that is done at the Central Committee and when I decide I will be the first to let you know,” Jagdeo said.
