What the Dickens has come over me today? Daring to be overtly political? I who no longer vote at any elections? (Remember though: I maintain my Constitutional right(s) to comment on politics and government. And to be protected by and provided for by the State-like non-voting Jehovah Witnesses and under-18 citizens of this, Our Big Beautiful Blighted Land.)
So what’s with me deciding today, to offer views on what really should not be my business? Mr Bharrat Jagdeo? The People’s Progressive Party? (I tend to ignore both “Civic” and “Reform”.)
Well readers and fellow citizens, my “fastness” is motivated by hearing from “a usually reliable source” of the ‘busing’ Ralph Ramkarran received for “exposing” the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), his life-long Party, to more public scrutiny by imploring it to tackle the “pervasive” corruption he seemed certain they (it) knows about. I understand that, having just lost its parliamentary majority, two members especially were quite upset that Ramkarran should heap more in-house distress upon Freedom House. It is left to be seen whether there will be a reconciliation with the Chronicle still putting big photos of Ralph alongside his articles.
Just what is the PPP?
My simple, unlettered but uncluttered mind writes for the man-in-the-street.
When, once upon a time, I held a People’s National Congress (PNC) Party Card and did some Kitty mobilizing, then lots of elections PR and persuasion, I would often quietly enquire within myself as to what is a political party. Who are the leaders and what did/do they really want? Did those who support and belong really commit to the Party’s ideals and objectives? Or their very own? Did both yearnings coincide?
(Misguidedly, I felt, in the seventies/eighties, that the PNC, alone would offer up economic salvation to and for Afro-Guyanese. Ah well…)
The PPP, like most political entities, probably has its top – Central Committee, Executive Committee, Administrative, etc; a middle – the Party’s Regional and District Branches-key components to manage and maintain Group-existence, and, of course the bottom – the crucial grass-roots membership and supportive non-members throughout the country.
It is to be expected – or hoped – that every Party is built on some developed foundation – a philosophy, a set of principles and objectives – an ideology, home-grown or an offshoot of international, generational belief.
I suspect the Cheddi Jagan PPP (1947, 1953, 1957 to 1964) was all that. That it survived the 28 years ’64-92’ of stolen elections is proof of that solid structure and ideology believed in by its founders and managers. And yes, with a little ethnic-security-loyalty thrown in as adhesive “strength”.
But founding Father, Communist/Socialist Humanitarian Cheddi who lived a frugal, anti-capitalist life like Julius Nyrere his comrade died in 1997 and claiming to have to change with the post-Cold-War times, in came a relatively unknown Young PYO Turk, Bharrat Jagdeo. Some critics will tell you that in the administrations that followed the PPP’s Big “C” was no longer for either communism or capitalism, but for corruption!
Bharrat Jagdeo’s Party
This young economist-politician, born in my birth-month, allegedly with the “planetary” characteristics of burden-bearing resilience and determination, was indeed once the youngest Head of State in the hemisphere (1998-1999).
From the little fishing Village of Unity, the PYO and Moscow, he obviously had carefully studied the use(s) of political power.
Swiftly he made the PPP’s hierarchy into the subservient handmaiden of the Presidency. It is rumoured that many executives, along with ambitious, greedy Private Sector individuals and companies – and overseas buddies – were only too willing to play ball, to toe Bharrat’s line. After all, Christopher Ram now points to who owns Guyana and when and how they got there.
I am matured and objective enough to grant young Mr Jagdeo his encomiums – UN recognition for his Green Earth Initiatives; infrastructure boom; foreign exchange stability and so on.
But even I can recognize the vile, negative, nation-destructive elements of his tenure: corruption, crime (?), drug-trafficking, “portioning out our patrimony” – all under his watch.
But what about the PPP itself. Frankly Speaking, I feel that young Bharrat appropriated the whole lot – save four or five – who are now actually indebted to him. The younger PPP “traditional” supporters must have contemplative and introspective second thoughts however – what with the electoral defections; the loss of loyalties amongst the older, now indifferent supporters. And Bharrat’s own “style” contributes, seemingly, to the separation of the few “sophisticates” left in his party.
Mind you, Frankly Speaking, two things strike me about Bharrat’s Brashness: he speaks many critical truths about his detractors, without the diplomacy. And he has many “big ones” still beholden to him.
The PPP’s future…
I recall the PPP of Cheddi, Ashton Chase, Eusi Kwayana/Sydney King, Burnham, Janet, Jessie, Jane, Hubbard, Benn, Reepu, Collymore, Edwards and Belgrave et al then I contemplate the Teixeiras, Nagamootoos, and the elections cross-overs of recent vintage. Within that mix, there should be voices of reason and change to make an institution survive.
Is Jagdeo’s influence really killing the PPP softly? Personally, I feel that reports of its demise are premature. But Bharrat should call in his doctors. If his new party is to survive. Hey, you realize I haven’t mentioned General Secretary Ramotar!?
Ponder…
. 1) Resignation, dismissal, termination – sometimes that’s like accepting “compensation” for criminal rape, compromising prosecution.
. 2) Patrol the Le Repentir Cemetery with police cars and dogs from midnight to day clean?
. 3) Eminent, cultured gentlemen – professionals serve political parties which are known to be corrupt, or thieves of elections. What does that say of the distinguished gentry? (Love of people?)
Til next week!
(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
