Dear Editor,
There are some who seek to discredit the PPP and its leadership by insinuating that it is stuck in some old ideological mode and is therefore unable to come up with new and innovative thinking on the way forward for the party and by extension the country.
This view is misleading and needs to be debunked if only to set the record straight regarding the ideological and philosophical orientation of the party.
The Constitution of the PPP makes it clear that the PPP embraces multi-party democracy, political and ideological pluralism, national unity, multiculturalism and social justice.
Despite its working class orientation, the PPP has always embraced a mixed economy along the lines of a national democratic state, with a leading role for the private sector. In fact, it was Dr Jagan who declared that the private sector would be the “engine of growth” following his party’s victory in the October 1992 elections.
The truth is that ideology has never stood in the way of the PPP in terms of its electoral strength especially during the post-1992 period when it won a resounding victory in the polls after twenty-four years of PNC dictatorial rule.
Ideology, for the PPP, is a tool of analysis based on national specifics and the changing global dynamics. It is not something sterile and immutable, but a living theoretical construct that can and must be flexible enough to adapt to new and changing circumstances.
I believe that it is the creative application of ideology within the framework of a democratic and socially just society that is mainly responsible for the electoral success of the party over the decades. And this despite attempts by local and foreign vested interests to influence and manipulate the outcome of the polls in favour of parties other than the PPP.
As Dr Jagan once said, history is on the side of the PPP. It is only a matter of time before the PPP once again is returned to the seat of power, our detractors notwithstanding.
Yours faithfully,
Hydar Ally
