Dear Editor,
It seems as if the rift among the executive and other senior officials of the PPP following the identification/nomination of Irfaan Ali as the Presidential Candidate has been resolved. Three of the nominees, Anil Nandlall, Frank Anthony and Vindhya Persaud were not present at the Rally held on Sunday at Leonora to announce Irfaan’s candidacy. It is not clear whether they boycotted or they had other commitments. However party insiders say that there is no problem and the trio like other party members are fully behind the former Housing Minister in its quest to win back the government. In fact Indra Chandarpal who praised Anthony for his honesty, and dedication explained on Monday that she has confidence in Irfaan and feels that he will be a good President.
Several members of the diaspora who did not agree with the nomination of Ali angrily said initially that they will not support him or the PPP in the elections. However on refection they said they cannot allow the current coalition government to continue because of the tremendous damage it did during the past three years, not forgetting the 28 years of disaster by the Burnham and Hoyte administrations.
They note that David Granger will lead the party once again despite his illness and no doubt that most of the ministers will continue to hold office despite their failures.
One prominent member of the diaspora wrote “the signs of the current government are not encouraging – the flagrant violations of fundamental constitutional tenets -a la Burnham style…. The allegations of corruption in the government are worse than the 23 years the PPP held office (under threats/duress/”Mo fyah” etc)”.
What is certain is that the well-to-do members of the diaspora will definitely not make financial donations to the AFC as they did three years ago in order to assist to remove the PPP from office.
I am now satisfied that the entire PPP is behind Irfaan. Nandlall in his facebook page said “we have a greater task at hand to win the next elections. The party needs us all”.
I do not think that the new parties, A New and United Guyana, Federal United Party (FED UP) which just sprang up will have a serious effect on the elections. They might take away votes from the PPP. The Amerindian votes will be vital to this election and I have no doubt the PPP, APNU/AFC will try to reach out to them to win their support. Judging from the emails, text messages and phone calls I received, I feel that there has been a change of heart and the diaspora will support Irfaan Ali and the PPP.
Yours faithfully,
Oscar Ramjeet
