Bandhu re-elected leader of URP, ex-TNM Executive Dr Kanhai elected Chair

– party garnered 360 votes at 2020 elections

The United Republican Party (URP) has unanimously re-elected Dr Vishnu Bandhu as its leader and a new Chairman in the person of political activist, Dr Daniel Josh Kanhai.

The party held its General Elections on Saturday at its head office, Liberty House, Vreed-En-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
Other persons elected to the URP Executive are Eon Halls as Vice President; Pastor Marcia Lewis as General Secretary; Movika Balkaran as Assistant General Secretary; Junia Brijraj as Treasurer; Jagranie Debi as Assistant Treasurer; Rawle Aaron as Public Relations Officer; Christopher Bianchini as Organising Secretary; Gaitri Maraj as Assistant Organising Secretary; Sara Beria as Youth Leader, and Baanmatti Balkaran as the Women’s Leader.
Additionally, the URP also elected Ganesh Rajkumar, Haresh Singh and Roop Kumar Persaud as Trustees.
Dr Vishnu Bandhu, in his feature address, told party members who turned out in their numbers at Liberty House that the URP intends to remain relevant in the political landscape of the country.
“I promise that the United Republican Party will continue to fight for justice and equality for all in Guyana,” the re-elected leader stated.
Further, Dr Bandhu emphasised that the URP is happy to invite onboard “young blood” to take the ideas and concepts of the party to the masses. He applauded young political activist Dr Josh Kanhai for coming on board and charged him and the other elected members to give their best and to deliver to the people, a country that all can be happy to live in.
Dr Bandhu was adamant that campaigning for 2025 elections must begin now if the URP is to make a significant impact on those elections.
Meanwhile, the newly elected Chairman, Dr Josh Kanhai said, “I am elated to be a part of the URP and I am thankful for the confidence my fellow members have placed in me by electing me as Chairman. The URP as a third force is much needed, for we will strive to create the balance as well as continue to fight for equal justice and rights for all Guyanese.”
“We will strive to secure a future for our children and grandchildren and we will do so in the spirit of teamwork, the organisation is nothing without a dedicated team. We will build each other and upon that we will stand firm and keep moving forward.”
Dr Kanhai was a founder and former high-ranking executive member of The New Movement (TNM), one of the new political parties formed to contest the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. He was the face of the TNM but after the tumultuous five months electoral process, Kanhai resigned from the party in November 2020.
He had said that his resignation was driven by TNM’s attempts to “act selfishly, go rogue, and use dictatorial force to influence my political will.”
“There are morals, principles, and standards that carve direction for my life, and they will not be compromised by the current apparatus put forward by the minority of TNM members. I cannot see myself working in such a selfish, toxic, and immature environment. I wish to make it public that I am no longer associated with The New Movement…,” he had declared.
Kanhai had been instrumental in the fight for democracy during those five months after the March elections. In fact, he along with another citizen had filed private criminal charges against Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield for electoral fraud. Those charges were eventually dropped after the State instituted others.
The URP was one of nine political parties that contested the 2020 National and Regional Elections in all ten administrative regions. During the period following the election, the URP was very determined that justice be served, thus, the URP participated in the 2020 National Recount process, helping to ensure that any attempt to derail the election was not successful.
The party had secured 360 votes after the recount process was completed.