Ralph Ramkarran writes: "With the passing of Cheddi Jagan, the effort to compromise in the interests of national unity, or internally in the interests of party unity, ended. In 1997 Roger Luncheon rejected several independent private initiatives suggesting a Ramkarran-Luncheon ticket for the elections of that year. He offered to support instead a Luncheon-Ramkarran ticket. (I learnt of these initiatives after they were made and rejected).

After his response gained no traction, he became one of the most ardent and articulate spokespersons for a Janet Jagan-Sam Hinds ticket instead of the Ramkarran-Hinds ticket, proposed by Mrs. Jagan herself, who pointed out the several reasons why she disqualified herself, and why the ticket she proposed was the most suitable. However, she succumbed to disingenuous and shortsighted blandishments. (‘How can we not field a Jagan as the candidate when we have always done so and won and now have one available?’ Dr. Luncheon intoned). The rest is history."