Jagdeo and Ramotar to meet diaspora in New York

President Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP/C presidential candidate, Donald Ramotar, will participate in a “meet-the-people” event organised by the Association of Concerned Guyanese (ACG) – USA and several community organisations representing a wide cross section of Guyanese in the New York tri-state area. The event will take place on April 29 at the Club Tobago on Liberty Avenue, Jamaica, Queens.

President Jagdeo and Mr Ramotar are expected to use the opportunity to highlight the major achievements of the PPP/Civic government and the challenges ahead. The upcoming general and regional elections will also be high on the agenda, as Guyanese in New York are anxiously waiting to hear when the elections will be held.

Guyanese in the diaspora have played, and continue to play, a major role in the development of Guyana; and the president, the party presidential candidate and other officials of their delegation are expected to engage members of the diaspora in a number of important issues.

Just recently the ACG – New York Chapter of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had issued a statement endorsing the selection of Donald Ramotar as the presidential candidate of the party for the 2011 regional and general elections.

The process of selection of the presidential candidate began in earnest in February of this year when the candidates made their presentations to the executive committee of the party and answered questions covering a wide range of issues. In the process, it was noted, the candidates frequently exhibited a convergence of views on fundamental issues relating to the development and future of Guyana. This was a clear reflection of party unity organisationally and politically.

The executive committee reported on its work to the central committee on April 4, 2011. At that important meeting, more discussions took place, and three of the candidates – Gail Teixeira, Ralph Ramkarran and Clement Rohee – withdrew in favour of Mr Donald Ramotar.

Mr Ramotar, in his remarks, thanked the three comrades for their magnanimity and political astuteness. The members of the central committee further noted the qualities of the three former candidates, noting that they were all capable of successfully leading the party at the elections.

The central committee then, without any dissent, recommended Donald Ramotar’s candidacy to the members of the party. This was done through the convening of three county conferences, which included members from all of the party’s hinterland regions. The conferences were very well attended, with thousands participating in the three conferences in Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara respectively.

At the county conferences, there were presentations from Mr Ramotar and President Jagdeo, as well as extensive unhindered deliberations from the floor. Subsequently, all three conferences unanimously endorsed the recommendation of the central committee and brought this democratic and open process of selecting a party presidential candidate to an historic conclusion.

The ACG statements said that these conferences showed unity and readiness of the membership to pursue another victory to ensure development and progress continue in Guyana. Mr Donald Ramotar expressed his humble gratitude to the leadership and membership of the party for the full confidence shown in his candidature.

The PPP has since stated that there are several other important matters to be attended to, such as finalising the full slate for the 2011 elections, which will now engage the attention of the party leadership. In the meantime, the PPP is now putting its elections machinery in place at all levels, and is exhorting its members to work hard for victory at the polls in 2011.