Dear Editor,

I refer to a letter in the Stabroek News (July 22) captioned, ‘There is no interactive discussion at the party Congress.’ The writer (who chose not to identify himself/herself by name), is totally ignorant of what transpires at PPP congresses. Congress is the highest decision-making forum of the party and has the following powers as enshrined in the party’s constitution:

1. to receive the Report of the Central Committee and other party bodies and to decide whether to accept or to reject them;

2. to review, amend, and endorse the constitution and programme of the party, if necessary;

3. to determine the general policy and tactics of the party in relation to national and international issues;

4. to elect, by secret ballot, a Central Committee, the number of members and candidate members which shall be determined by Congress.

In addition to the above, delegates and observers have numerous opportunities to actively participate in Congress discussions and deliberations through numerous plenary sessions and workshops which are highly interactive and where each member is given an opportunity to have his or her say on matters of concern or interest.

For the benefit of that particular writer, at no time was any attempt made at previous congresses to remove Marxism/Leninism from the party constitution. The party constitution in its preamble stated categorically that the party is guided by Marxism/Leninism, the ideology of the working class. It does not follow, however, that the party and government is at this juncture in our history building a socialist state. The constitution states: “more immediately, the PPP is committed to the establishment of a National Democratic State which will embrace political and ideological pluralism, political democracy, cultural diversity, racial equality and a mixed tri-sectoral economy.”

Regarding party education, this is ongoing. The Education Committee of the party has over the past months conducted several educational/ideological programmes, including a recent live-in Accabre session, weekend mini-Accabre programmes, induction/orientation seminars, and leadership seminars. Scores of party members throughout the country, including hinterland regions, have benefited from such training. The party takes seriously cadre development and the political/ideological development of its membership.

I hope this letter would assist in clarifying some misconceptions and distortions which have been peddled in the media, especially in the recent past.

Yours faithfully,
Hydar Ally
Secretary, PPP Congress Committee
and Education Secretary