By Abena Rockcliffe
As the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) hosted the opening of its Congress at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) this morning, rank and file members celebrated victory when they were told by leaders that despite trials and tribulations, the party is on its strongest footing ever.
According to Central Committee member and President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, the man primarily responsible for such fortitude is none other than the party’s General Secretary (GS), Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.
Addressing those he referred to as the foundation of the party, the core membership, Dr. Ali declared today a historic day in the life of the PPP. He acknowledged that on this, the party’s 32nd congress, members are gathering under much better circumstances than that which existed at the party’s 31st congress while it was in opposition. Dr. Ali recalled that at that congress, the membership of the party mandated the leadership to realign the party with the changing circumstances of the country.
Dr. Ali said that the party could not have possibly been led by a stronger “comrade” than Jagdeo who took that mandate seriously and worked assiduously to execute it.
“He self examined (the party), rectified and realigned,” said Dr. Ali.
Dr. Ali also stressed that the party, led by Jagdeo, developed a strategy to convert every weakness into strength and laid a path for victory in 2020. “We must not take that period of history lightly as the leadership was tested in every way, shape and form.” Dr. Ali said that fortunately, the strength of leadership of the PPP was matched with the strength of the membership.
Still acknowledging and celebrating the astute leadership of Dr Jagdeo, Dr. Ali said that the GS demonstrated full commitment to the cause even at a time when he had before him, offers that could have enriched him and positioned him globally. “But he sacrificed to ensure the PPP remained strong and remains the champion of the people of the country.”
Dr. Ali said that the PPP has “never been on such solid foot in history.” He then invited the over 3000 delegates, observers and volunteers to offer Jagdeo a well-deserved stand ovation for his unmatched leadership.
Dr. Ali said he is confident that the party is headed in the right direction while riding the wave of its core values. One such value is unity. In this regard, he pointed out that the ‘One Guyana’ concept is not accidental. “It was birthed after the last congress when we designed the philosophy one Guyana, one people, one future.”
Dr. Ali said that mandate required the PPP to walk every street, touch every corner and bring back hope and vision to the people of Guyana. He said that it bore fruit as “every inch of Guyana is represented in the room. The mission was to rebuild and modernize to disallow the racist agenda.”
He said that the PPP is proud of the decision it took to no longer allow others to define it as a party. “From the day we took control of that narrative to show what we truly stand for, the population rallied behind us.”
Ali declared that the PPP is “strong as eva, strong foreva.”
