I have been doing some research and talking to people. So here is a case for Irfan. If he can successfully clear up the controversy surrounding his degrees and corruption charge:
He might surprise people if:
1. He and the PPP hires a good PUBLIC RELATIONS firm that can package him (maybe like the coalition's VOTE LIKE A BOSS) as a winner and a candidate of hope, who can rise above the political divisiveness of the past. He is in the honeymoon period now....people will be looking at him for signs of leadership.
2. He reaches out to the youth. Most Guyanese are young voters. They can connect with him if he used the right language. He can offer hope and a different type of politics.
3. During the campaign, he demonstrates quite clearly that he can be fair, tough and can manage the nation's politics without Jagdeo's influence (Jagdeo is good for Indians, but Afros see him as a divisive person).
4. He promises 3 things that are crucial in Guyanese politics today:
a. He promises to address Constitutional Reform in the first 100 days especially as they relate to voting, dual citizenship, constituency system, etc
b. He makes a firm commitment to address corruption, and convince the population that his administration will put a number of checks in place to stand firm against corruption.
c. Convince Guyanese that the PPP will seek to address the racial problems in Guyana, to address the fears of Afros, Amerindians, etc
5. If the PPP selects a credible Afro candidate who will be respected by the Afro community, and others. A good team will go a long way, especially in a climate where politicians are seen as untrustworthy.
6. If the smaller parties are ineffective in cutting into the PPP base and pull votes from the PNC traditional base, especialy ANUG in GT. The Amerindian party will pull votes from both parties, so that may not have much of an effect.
7. If the coalition screws up ...an uninspiring Presidential and PM candidate, a lackluster campaign, using threatening language, racial campaign, etc. This may help the PPP.
