General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Donald Ramotar said on Saturday that recent comments by Central Executive Member, Reepu Daman Persaud endorsing President Bharrat Jagdeo for a third term do not reflect the party’s position on the issue.
Reepu Daman Persaud
“…the PPP remains with the Constitution. What Mr. Persaud said reflected his personal views on the issue and not the party’s position”, Ramotar, a potential PPP candidate for the presidency in 2011, stated.
The statements by Persaud, who is President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, were made at the recent annual Diwali motorcade. Persaud was a former Minister of Parliamentary Affairs within the PPP/C administration and observers have pointed to his statements as being inappropriate given the portfolio he once held and the fact that intense debate within the parliamentary framework led to a two-term presidential limit. Jagdeo would have served two terms at the end of 2011 in addition to a portion of late President Janet Jagan’s term. Stabroek News made several telephone calls to Persaud’s office last week to no avail since according to his secretary he was out of the office whenever the newspaper attempted to contact him. His statements on the issue of a third term for the President have apparently raised much concern within the party.
Earlier this month a group calling itself, the Guyanese Coalition For Jagdeo Third Term (GCFJTT), distributed flyers and buttons promoting the extension of presidential term limits to pave the way for Jagdeo to contest again. More recently, posters have been plastered on several city walls with the slogan, ‘Jagdeo for President in 2011’. The members of the group are still unknown, but well-known local businessman Brian Yong has been linked to the group.
Donald Ramotar
Stabroek News contacted Yong on Friday and he distanced himself from the group saying he has no idea who is behind the campaign. He said he was agitated that people have linked him to the group. However, he said that “absolutely nothing is wrong with people” pushing the plan because as he sees it, “they are entitled to have an opinion on the issue and people should at least respect that opinion”. Yong said he is a bit peeved by the fact that people are labelling the efforts of the persons behind the campaign as evil.
The businessman said frankly that Jagdeo is the best President Guyana has ever had, “period”. He believes in the President and said he supports him now and always. He said that people seem to fear the idea of Jagdeo running for a third term despite the fact that the President has said repeatedly he has no interest in running again. Yong said too that people are also apprehensive about him going for a third term despite the fact that “it is the people of Guyana who have to decide that, not a group that is calling for it”.
Yong added that he supports President Jagdeo “one hundred and fifty percent” and that he has been impressed with the level of work Jagdeo has done since taking office.
The PNCR has said that it will never support an amendment to the constitution to allow President Jagdeo to contest the Presidency for a third term and it labelled the recent actions by the group as “political games” by the PPP intended to take the attention away from the various controversies ensnaring the PPP/C administration.
Alliance For Change Leader Raphael Trotman said that the issue of extending the term limit was not something that the AFC would support. “We don’t believe that the incumbent has the right to seek an extension”, Trotman stated before adding that the President seemed to have greater interest in addressing matters outside of Guyana than in his own country.
Previously, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) had said that it hoped that the PPP/Civic would not engage in any “adventurist” steps to subvert term limits. “The WPA hopes and expects that the PPP/Civic would not engage in any adventurist process aimed at subverting the Constitution and its term limits.
“The WPA advises, well in advance, schemes to subvert and/or undermine the Constitution would be most unwise”, the party said in a statement.
3rd Term? ha…He didn’t preform good for over eight years now he wants another 4 years to punish and cripple the economy and the country….Whosoever calling for a third term needs to call for themselves…This country don’t need anpther 4 more years of Jagdeo nor the PPPeeee.
Spot on SandHurst,
The PPP must go and we must bring back our party to power. The PNC was good for all Guyanese. We all let our leader Burnham down and did not work hard enough to build the country. We now have our son (AFC) who will help us get back to our rightful place. No more Jagdeo, Ramotar, and PPP. No more talk of third term.
Sandman, i think our election cycle is 5 years and not 4. Your last sentence should read “another 5 years”.
Hey Dudes, forget the irresoonsible statements by some and focus on the PPP’s position – Jagdeo ia not interested in a third term.
Anyway, onto to something more interesting. Last night I saw a very informative documentary on Guyana. The piece focussed on the fact that Guyana has the largest untouched rainforest in the world and that some endangered species, such as the giant otter and jaguar, are still living in Guyana in their natural habitat.
The explorers also discovered hundreds of new species of insects and supported the President’s initiative that the world has more to gain from Guyana’s forest remaining intact. This was a direct reference that Guyana should benefit from carbon credits in exchange for preserving its forest. The piece alluded that it would be less costly to the world to pay for carbon credits than to pay for Guyana’s lumber. The team of scientists were Canadians and other nationals, including one from Guyana.
folks, why get hot under the collar for nothing. Unlike other parties, in the PPP no person is bigger than the party. The Opposition is scared that Jagdeo may run for (another certain of victory) term. There are other suitable candidates and any of them will lead the party to another victory. Unlike the case with most of the opportunist, run of the mill, rest of CARICOM outfits based on personalities and the preying on people’s insecurities,including racial, people vote for the PPP in the main on programme’s substance and more and more Guyanese of all races are crossing over despite attempts to play the race card with calls for the so called inquirey about “the killing of hundreds of (do we need to name the race they holler about) young men…Peace…
There is movement afoot here to see how much Guyanese can stomach that idea and I think if it finds fodder, it will push for it, if not, it will fizzle and die.
Jagdeo had two terms plus nearly half of Janet Jagan’s term and we got more crimes than we have ever had in the history of Guyana and just in case the Roger Khan’s clan steps up to talk of him saving Guyana, who is going to save Guyana now from the runaway crime it has been having now, who is going to save all those Guyanese women and children who have been victims at the hands of Guyanese men?
But I digressed, now back to what Jagdeo gave us, now celebrated by Brian Wong, no doubt.
We got the VAT.
Press Freedom questioned and the press penalized.
Journalists jailed and gunned down and oooh let’s not forget the unforgetable Shaheed Khan, aka convicted US Felon and Bernard Kerik another who have run afowl of US laws and no doubt, more “Guyanese Felons” to come.
Brian Yong must have been on Mars, but whenever he’s ready to step down here back to earth, he should know that Guyana does not exist to be his, his group’s, Persaud’s or Jagdeo’s toys and neither do the Guyanese people.
There is a limit to which Guyanese in and out of Guyana can be pushed.
Enough said.
4 years 5 years does not make a difference,,,the PPPC is there to govern Guyana for the rest of your life Jagdeo or no Jagdeo..Burnham was a total failure and made Guyana a failed state Mr Alexander…
Issac, you’re right – bring back “our” party: more than 90% of your party’ cabinet looked like you; more than 90% of the army looked like you; more than 90% of the GPF looked like you; more than 90% of the public servants looked like you; more than 90% of the regional executives looked like you. Is this what you called “the PNC was good for all Guyanese”?
Wake up and smell the dhal…yes, it’s not banned anymore. It was widely reported that PNC rigged their internal election. What wouldn’t the PNC do to the country and the elections a second time around. PNC…never again, dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Right now the country is backward and has been backward for a long time. If the simple things the president can’t get right then we are in real shambles. No Low Carbon can bail us out when our core issue that’s stifling development is mismanagement of the country.
Spot on Isaac Alexander:
First you forget to tell SFH how you {we) intend to bring back your PNC party to power:
Do you intend on asking the Obama administration to install your PNC back to power?
Do you think the {we} you are talking about that let Burnham down is not only letting PPP down but letting themselves down too?
{WE} could easily say {we} done with and dont want no more Burnham now more Hoyte as well:
shf, name me a party better that the ppp or a president better the jagdeo, and i will go with you.
Hi Dud, where is your logic? First you suggest that the third term discourse is wasteful. I say no, you find the low carbon junk and blog there. All kinds of opposition persons were blamed for raising the third proposal. It is now clearer who needs it.
Your racist second posts further defies all logic. Let’s examine.
For 17 years what has changed?
Cabinet has gone 98% the other side. I say like you, for you say, Isaac is like him.
GPF remains the same
GDF remains the same
Public service remains the same.
All others remain the same.
Country in a bigger mess.
If you want to continue living in the cold when you retire, then you can continue shooting crap from abroad. But others desire is to return home and to be comfortable in their old age.
What about those living there presently, year in year out, same thing over and over. They may not be fortunate to run away, have you ever given them any thought?
I say it is a lack of vision that has Guyana where it is today.
Countries with far less resources than us are way ahead of us, can you give the reason for this?
Dude, don’t get hooked by Isaac. Don’t you see, the man threw out some bait and is waiting for someone to take it. Don’t bite.
Dude, why don’t you mention which 95%, that head all the big government jobs as we blog.. The last time I saw that list, it will lead persons think that Guyana only has one race and not six races.
The whole thing here DUDE,, some people are getting cold sweat when they hear Jagdeo’s name, they are very much afraid that if he runs again there is no hopes for them,,, Poor hopes for samaroo and his crew in the AFC, they getting heart attack to see the treasury with so much cheese and they cannot get their hands on it…it utting them bad…
Hey Dude,
Right on man! Yeah, 90% of my party’s cabinet looked as handsome as me, yeah, handsome. More than 90% of the army looked as tough and patriotic as me, yeah patriotic. More than 90% of the GPF looked as hard working and conscientious as me. More than 90% of the regional executives looked as caring and friendly as me. Now all we needed were some supporting casts and we got a country. I am a coffee man even though I enjoy a good dhal now and then.
Wait till you see what I am proposing to our party! Half an acre of land for every child born in the land of the mighty Roraima! Everyone born is Guyana is entitled to a piece of dirt and a stake in the country. It is their birthright.
Now don’t let me see the PPP or the AFC taking my idea and proposing it. Gerhard Ramsaroop, you cool and you can take it. After all, we are one and the same.
We will rise again and make our country a place for all Guyanese to live in peace and prosperity.
Lambada do you want a party with more educated individuals than the PPP who are not corrupt???
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20091025/Violence_March_091025/20091025/?hub=TorontoNewHome
Check out this CTV video and then ask yourselves if this is the {WE} are the {WE} not being talked about:
Is it the PPPC Government Marginalizing Disenfranchising Discriminating Criminalizing the {WE} in Toronto Canada too?
The {WE} are acting like savages anywhere and everywhere not limited to Guyana.
When will the {WE} open {WE} eyes and see it for what it is?
Come on Jim-Bob, no bait. Just an honest and open communication among countrymen. We have learned a lot from our 28 years in the chair and we are churning now. We will come out a better party and bring a new beginning to all Guyanese. We can and will bring safety, security, and prosperity to everyone. We are working out our strategy for including every Guyanese in our future. What do you think of our idea of passing a law that grants land to every child born in Guyana? We are going to give every Guyanese a stake and a homestead in their country of birth.
We will be looking to guys like you to help us make our party and country better. Lots of great ideas and opinions on these blogs. We are reading and listening.
Evileyes,
We are adjusting our charter, policies, rules, governance, and operational strategy. We are cleaning up our act and will emerge as a new and improved party. We are developing new security, governance, accountability, transparency, economic, healthcare, and education plans. We are also creating a new people development and integration plan. We must involve all Guyanese and make room for all. Lots of new ideas and new players and we want all Guyanese to participate, including those living abroad who are willing to help us right the ship.
Burnham dead, Jagan Dead, Hoyt dead, and Jagan(II) dead. Let’s clean house, lick our wounds, heal our hurt, and move to a new day. We want to help you return to your country with pride and stay if you want to for as long as you want. Take your family, take your friends.
Guyanese let Burnham down, Guyanese let the Jagans’ down, and Guyanese let Hoyt down. Burnham, Jagan, and Hoyt let the Guyanese people down. What a mess! Now we can take responsibility for our action or inaction and play a role in fixing the wrongs in our country. What do you say Evileyes? Now don’t put the hex or whammy on me.
Isaac Alexander
Your response to DUDE just put the your own “whammy hex” on you and your high hopes.
Your {WE{ tried to shove cassava bread down the other “WE” throats and it had to hurt your feeling to mentioned {DHAL} in your response to DUDE.
That says it all whom are the “WE” you intend on falling for your pitch.
You remind me of the TV commercial pitch man selling sham-wow.ehehehehe….
The other “WE” you are not talking about heard this very preaching before.
Feed housed clothed nation by 76:Didn’t they?
Then a good great man came along and he was given the gift of a life time in the form of a walkie talkie.
They, your {WE}and all the other “WE” knew the history of that gift.
I admire your nerves though and hats off to you if you think you can change the “WE” because some of the your “WE” don’t like to be told.
Talk about the your “WE” and let them know the wrongs they did to the other {WE}and the pain and sufferings the your “WE” caused more than 90 percent of all Guyanese.
This is not about Cassava and Dhal bro…
Tell your {WE} leaders to come out and tell the world what it had done.
You tried to do it here but here is not the place for it.
The your {WE} leaders have the radio and tele in Guyana to come with a clean slate and tell the Guyanese people how sorry they are for what it had done them.
Then and only then the wrong can be righted.
If can’t be done then all is lost and it will remain the Status Coe.
Thanks but no thanks for the invite home because I’m already home and do not depend on Government hand out like the “WE” you want to change.
You nor I can change those your those “WE”
One of the best blogs from Mr evileyes.
However, Isaac Alexander impaled himself on his own stick when he had the audacity in trying to insist that …………………………. “Guyanese let Burnham down”
How do you follow THAT SORT OF UNRESERVED HERO WORSHIP?
Mr Yong you are entitled to your narrow opinion. A person that has engaged in a fictional marriage does not deserve that kind of support at the right time the women in Guyana will see to that.Maybe Freddy will take you up on a public debate about your 150 percent support of Jago.
This news piece explains the state of desperation and panic within the PPP government. It also testifies the mindset of the PPP: that Hindus are property of the PPP.
It is no co-incidence that Mr. Persaud chose to make this political pitch at the Diwali celebrations. Whether it is on behalf of Jagdeo or not, the trick remains the same, albeit old,ie, to call on Hindus to vote for the PPP.
Ghost rider its the same call from the 50’s is being made here more than 50 years later. The bad thing here is that it works everytime and as a result we all suffers.
It’s people like Reepu Daman Persaud makes me sketical of religion.
Remember the old saying…’where there’s smoke….there’s fire’….here in USA we call it a ‘trial balloon’….
Thanks for this article sn, we now await the editor’s comments.
Fighting will breakout shortly between the yeas and nays.
In relation to Mr. Yong, who would not like to know that when their father is taking them to school in a traffic jam he has a bulldozer. Crush this person here push that one there out of the way.
But life Mr. Yong is not like that, you have rules to follow and the laws do not permit such lawlessness.
Therefore if Jagdeo is his godfather and he owns a bulldozer, then they both can operate it in their backyards clearing trees, no law will prevent them. But on the road it is a no no.
You are entitled to your opinion as well as Mr Yong, so stop try to be superior to the successful Businessman…
seems like all might not be well in paradise after all hahhaaahaa
Toy soldier, the thing I love about you most is that you know all the successful businessmen in Guyana.
Funny Judge Dora Irizarry in the RK case did not read a letter from you stating that RK was also a successful and honest business person. She chooze to read three, two with names and one anonymous.
That sitting (NY)would have more benefitted from your intimate knowledge on successful businessmen , not these here blogs.
Toy Solideer just like e boys at freedumb house they left poor raja in the cold and hung him out to dry.
Tut tut!
I am not interested in a third term but my party and supporters are pushing me to run for it,i do not want to disappoint them but since the opposition would not agree i will do a Putin and they will have to accept.Ha Ha Ha.
good actions have rewards but bad ones have consequences. Marc, you are insignificant in this debate. the only people that matter are the guyanese that are living in the misery and stress created by jagdeo.
Jagdeo needs to serve a third term so that he and his government can outperform the ills of Burnham and his regime.
Nene you need to wake up.stop day dream ppp party after to go look what the did to guyana.you can not go. To the story and buy something with a dollar.the good old day when the pnc was in power thing back and see how good guyana you to be.
Parikalove, do I have to read and spell for you? Nah, when you grow up respond to my blog.
You go Repu man!!!!!
Repu’s forte is the Mandir, not the political stage. Never was. He is out of order here.
Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud was one of those PPP stalwarts who led the 28-yr struggle purportedly to return democracy to Guyana. Now that his party is in power he wants to circumvent the very constitution of President Burnham, which they vehemently opposed, to get even more power. This is so hypocritical of him.
The constitution is the highest law in the land and it should reign supreme. This is the only defense and protection the general populace has against rogue leaders.
The constitution was revised in 1998….is it still burnham’s constitution? During the revision period the PPP was in Government and had the power to change certain elements of the constitution and they choose not to for the benefit of themselves. The very issue that is the subject of this article was not part of the 1980 consitution and yet some still call it Burnham constitution. Why Not Jagdeo’s Constitution or Hoyte Constitution since it was the later that pushed for these new changes.
You are sure right pepie, this is another good legacy President Hoyte left us. He forced the PPP to change the constitution to allow for only two terms for the presidency. Now that he is dead and gone the PPP is trying to go back to the way is was under President Burnham.
I have a question for Mr Reepu Daman Persaud, who is President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha….
When the residents of Alexander Village were recently cowering in fear of terror on DIWALI NIGHT; where was your voice then, Mr Persaud?
It was left tho Mr Gherhard Ramsaroop of the AFC to fight for justice.
You seem to have found your voice now that you are asking the government to operate illegally and throw the Guyana Consitution in the garbage bin.
My advice to you: STAY OUT OF POLITICS. YOU’VE NEVER BEEN ANY GOOD.
Give the man a break he is not so well