Dear Editor,
As the People’s Progressive Party celebrates it Seventy- fifth ANNIVERSARY, Guyanese are indeed enjoying the genuine leadership of the political party that remains rooted in the masses.
In 1950, the Father of the Nation, Dr Cheddi Jagan, founded this genuine, mass-based political party in Guyana – the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). He laid the foundation for the second generation to be under the stewardship of Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, and to be followed by the current, immensely popular Dr. Irfaan Ali.
While our country benefited from the leadership of the genuine comrade Janet Jagan and the honest man of integrity Samuel Hinds, along with President Donald Ramotar, it cannot be denied that the Presidency of Cheddi Jagan, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and Dr. Irfaan Ali are most distinguished, and must be recorded with distinction.
The PPP was founded in 1950, immediately after the Second World War, when the world was experiencing tremendous hardships. Dr. Cheddi Jagan returned to Guiana and, in 1946, formed a “Think Tank” Political Affairs Committee (PAC). In 1950, when the role of the Legislative Assembly was limited and dictated by the colonial masters, the time was opportune for the role of a cabinet and people to be elected, and not selected. Hence, in the 1953 General Elections, which were held under Universal Adult Suffrage, the PPP, with Dr. Cheddi Jagan at the helm, won a massive victory, as the PPP captured eighteen out of the twenty-four seats.
Guyana was heavily influenced by world politics at that time, and the PPP Government was suspended by the colonial masters. The international political interference led to the splitting of the PPP, and the opportunistic Forbes Burnham formed his own party, the PNC. Very soon, at the next elections, held in 1957, PPP/ Jagan won nine seats while PPP/Burnham barely scraped in three seats.
The PPP won nine of the fourteen seats and formed the Government. In 1961, the PPP won twenty of the thirty-five seats and again formed the Government. The political situation was difficult, as the cold war period was full of political opportunism.
In 1964, the PPP won the most popular votes. However, the colonial masters changed the voting system. At the 1964 General Elections, the British Government imposed a system of Proportional Representation as opposed to the conventional constituency system, which led to the Coalition PNC and UF forming the Government. Very soon, the greedy Burnham/PNC kicked out the UF from the Government.
The year 1968 saw the rigging of elections in Guyana. The 1973 General Elections is better known as the Ballot Boxes Martyrs’ elections. Massive rigging led the PNC to hold a ‘Referendum’ in 1978 and the Constitution was changed. In 1980, PNC/Burnham declared Paramountcy of the Party. A one-party Government was instituted. In 1985, the PNC under the leadership of Desmond Hoyte imposed the most dangerous rigging and murdering of political activists.
The economic and political situation was most inhumane. Crime, unemployment, poverty, shortages of basic food items and medical facilities saw two pregnant women on one bed in the hospitals, rats eating patients’ toes, and the education system was even more rotten than the medical system.
It was the deterioration of the political, social, and economic systems that led to formation of the Political Committee in defense of Democracy. Cheddi Jagan and the powerful PPP led the struggle for free and fair elections.
God bless the mighty President Carter, who presided over the famous 1992 return of Democracy to Guyana. A new era dawned when the PPP/C won the elections and returned to lead the Government in Guyana.
The PPP/C were in Government for twenty-three consecutive years, during which they were able to transform the economy. The PPP/C Presidency under the astute leadership of Dr Bharrat Jagdeo certainly put Guyana on the World’s map as the United Nations’ “Champion of the Earth” and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group.
President Irfaan Ali has continued the legacy of excellence with his policies based on inclusiveness and economic growth as he strives to secure the future of all Guyanese.
However, the battle for free and fair elections in this country was punctuated in 2020 with five long months of PNC/APNU-AFC blatant attempts to steal the Government. Guyanese will never forget the ‘dynamic’ and stalwart leadership of the PPP/C.
We must commend the leadership of General Secretary Dr Bharrat Jagdeo in organizing and enabling the Guardians of Democracy, as he was able to mobilise Guyanese and international supporters to ensure that the will of the voters was upheld. Hence, the return of the PPP/C to Government.
The young and brilliant Dr. Irfaan Ali at the helm of yet another distinguished PPP/C Government is certainly continuing to transform Guyana, making our country a better place to live. The last four years have seen unprecedented economic growth, infrastructural development, and social unity in Guyana. Dr Ali has undoubtedly proven himself as a leader of unquestionable integrity, with an unwavering commitment to his vision of a united and prosperous Guyana.
The PPP’s 75th anniversary must be celebrated as One People in ‘One Guyana’. Our party, under the masterful leadership of our General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, President Irfaan Ali, along with the strong leadership that was recently elected at our Thirty-first historical Congress, must continue to work in unity to ensure a massive victory at the polls this year.
Onwards to a triumphant 2025 victory at the polls.
Sincerely,
Neil Kumar
