Youths will continue to get opportunities in PPP – Jagdeo

…accepts that some “older” comrades against his leadership style

The Peoples Progressive Party will continue its policy of affording its younger and more talented members and supporters access to meaningful opportunities to serve the party at various levels, as it continues its bid to regain the reins of executive office.

This is the only way the PPP can train and nurture the best quality of leaders, who will be tasked with continuing the legacy, political ideology, and belief system of the PPP.
These sentiments were expressed by that party’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, who on Thursday told media operatives that he is fully aware that there are some older members of his party who disagree with his leadership style and the fact that they are sometimes not being selected for certain roles.
Jagdeo, one of Guyana’s youngest and longest serving former Presidents, made no apologies for putting youths first, but insisted that in order for the PPP to survive in the current political climate, a new cadre of leaders must, from within its youth corps, emerge capable of carrying on the struggle with the full support and mentorship of their elders and the party’s treasured “old guards”.
“For me, one thing is important for the party…I got an opportunity as a young man from this party…and that this party continues to appreciate professionals, continues to give young people room to grow,” he insisted when asked if he was concerned that there may be divisions within his party because of the nonsupport of some seniors, which is seen as vital to his success as General Secretary.
Acknowledging that it is a fact that “many have a problem” with his leadership style, the PPP General Secretary said he is concerned about the energy and vitality of those who wanted to serve the party in its quest to move forward.
“If you’re spent, there is a place for you”, the General Secretary remarked, before adding, “But you shift down a bit and allow others to emerge and be new leaders. And you can be spent as a young person or as an old person”.
Jagdeo explained that he is doing his best; and for him, the future of the PPP is more important than personalities and people’s quest for personal aggrandisement and fame.
He stoutly defended his style as GS and the policies he has embarked upon, stating that while “there may be occasional concerns about that…we have no choice but to do that for the sake of the future of Guyana, future of our party”.
Jagdeo explained: “We have to get the older comrades to see their responsibility as incubating another generation of leaders, bringing in young people.” He was confident, nonetheless, that he is making the right choices and decisions at this time in Guyana’s history; choices that would result in innumerable benefits for the party in the long run.
He reasoned that it was not possible to get the support of “100” percent of all of the members, but he insisted that a major of the top ranking and grass roots supporters and PPP members were firmly behind him and supporting his leadership. (Michael Younge)