THE naming of career diplomat, Elisabeth Harper, as the ruling Party’s Prime Ministerial candidate came as a shock to many and while there have been many expressions of support for her nomination, the consensus from the Opposition camp is that that Harper should have declined the offer. This considered, President Donald Ramotar, in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, noted that the criticisms of Harper’s detractors seem to be “acts of desperation.”
The incumbent is also the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) presidential candidate and stressed that his running mate is aptly capable to function in the post of prime minister and continue to make contributions to Guyana, this time from a different level.
He said, “Our party has been very inclusive and Mrs Harper’s appointment is a reflection of the national unity we are building, as well as our efforts to broaden our coalition, via the Party’s Civic component.”
Since winning office in 1992, the PPP/C presidential candidate has been taken from the PPP – which includes card bearing party members, while its prime ministerial candidate is taken from its Civic component – members of the wider society aligned to the PPP for the purpose of making a contribution to Guyana, but are not party members.
“This partnership characterises our efforts to build a Government of national unity,” President Ramotar said, debunking the criticism from the Alliance – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) – that the PPP/C is deeply divided and in disarray.
The Alliance in a statement on Saturday, after the PPP/C announcement, said, “It (the announcement) speaks to the intense and bitter jockeying for power and the Prime Ministerial nomination in particular which has obviously become so acrimonious that an outside consensus candidate in Mrs. Harper had to have been introduced in an attempt to calm the acrimonious tensions.”
CONTINUOUS EFFORT
However, the President reiterated that Harper’s appointment is in line with both its effort to widen its support base and broaden the Civic component of the PPP/C – a continuous effort.
“We have been reaching out to all Guyanese. This is in line with our philosophy of national unity and our efforts in constantly trying to broaden our coalition,” Mr Ramotar said.
Last August, the PPP disclosed that it had been engaging various stakeholders and interest groups in discussions on the current political situation, according to a statement from the Party, which added that encouraging interest has been shown in the establishment of a national democratic front ahead of the next general and regional elections.
The statement said, “The People’s Progressive Party is heartened by the interest shown by a large number of civic and political stakeholders in forming a broad national democratic front with the Party ahead of the next general and regional elections.
“The PPP has been meeting with various stakeholders and interest groups to discuss the political situation and the need for more to be done to realise the establishment of this broad National Democratic Front Alliance, which would see Guyanese electors benefiting significantly from higher levels of transparency, accountability, good governance and democratic rule.”
According to the party, it is satisfied that its ideology, political principles and track-record have managed to attract many stakeholders who are interested in joining its national democratic platform to build and further develop Guyana.
MANY FIRSTS
Additionally, the President rejected the criticism that the PPP/C, via Harper’s nomination, is seeking to play up her gender appeal.
“We have always been appealing to women. The PPP/C has given Guyana its first female president, its first female Chancellor, its first female Chief Justice and now its first Prime Ministerial candidate. There have been many firsts that the PPP/C has given Guyana,” he said.
Mr Ramotar was unapologetic of acknowledging the Party’s historic recognition of the interests of women in Guyana.
“We have always been representative of all our people, including women. We recognise their interests,” he posited.
The President made it clear that Harper was not chosen on the basis that she is a woman, but the nomination was merits-based.
“She is a bright woman who has dedicated her whole life, her whole working life, to Guyana and served Guyana well. She is a patriot,” he said.
Meanwhile, Harper in an early morning Facebook post, made her first comments on her nomination.
She said, “I accepted the offer to be the running mate of His Excellency President Donald Ramotar as the Prime Ministerial candidate after contemplating the significant opportunity which this could present for me to serve the people of Guyana in a higher capacity.
“I remain completely dedicated to striving for the betterment of my country. I have received so many messages of goodwill and support. Their sincerity is overwhelming and touching. I am deeply bolstered by this support.”
The PPP/C declaration of its leadership ticket on Saturday culminates the naming of political leaders for the two major political players in Guyana, ahead of the May 11 General and Regional elections. --- (By Vanessa Narine)
