Georgetown: Former Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali has emerged as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential candidate in the aftermath of a Central Committee meeting on Saturday.
Voting was held at the PPP/C’s Headquarters, Freedom House, on Robb Street, Georgetown. Those who contested for the position were: Opposition Chief Whip and former Home Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira; former Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony; former Attorney General Anil Nandlall; former Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali and Dr. Vindhya Persaud. When asked if he will take a backseat after the Presidential candidate is selected, opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo said he will do so only after the General and Regional Elections. Jagdeo, who was accused of being closely involved in the operations of the past administration, denied doing such and said he will, however, play a formal role if the PPP/C returns to office. Last week, a section of the media launched an attack to desecrate the character of Irfaan Ali.
Ali, had issued the following statement:
“I have noted a contrived, concerted campaign to discredit and misrepresent my academic credentials. I have never presented any inaccurate academic achievements.
I will not give credence to such organised slander to discredit my wide-ranging academic progress by responding to every single element of the mischievous information being peddled and which objective is to undermine my effort to serve as the PPP Presidential Candidate.
Certificates reflecting my diplomas and degrees are already in the public domain for scrutiny. Further, I am awaiting additional official transcripts from institutions I have completed studies which I will have no hesitation in making public too. I will not be deterred nor intimidated.”
Jagdeo said the PPP was also looking to create a “big tent” when in office to include civil society and other stakeholders who have been approaching the Party, expressing a desire to work with the Party. This, he added, include youths whom the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) seemed to have abandoned.
In fact, using himself as a prime example, Jagdeo pointed out that the PPP has a track record on young people in politics that is unassailable in this region. The former Head of State reminded too that more than half of his Cabinet was below the age of 40 and were managing some of the country’s critical sectors.
Once the presidential candidate is chosen, he said, the prime ministerial candidate will be chosen and that person will most likely come from civil society.
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