Charrandas’ escort and Anthony Vieira among new faces of PPP/C

AS is customary during the elections season, there were surprises, as persons crossed over from one political party to the next or other prominent individuals made their first step into the political arena, as was the cases with the “new faces” to appear on the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C)’s list of candidates.

The PPP/C’s list of candidates, which was submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) at the Umana Yana, on Friday, included “new faces” such as former People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Parliamentarian, Anthony Vieira; Attorney-at-Law, Sanjeev Datadin and Executive Member of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar. Also on the list is former Head of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s Vector Control Unit, Dr. Reyaud Rahaman.

Rahaman was among the persons who accompanied former APNU+AFC Parliamentarian, Charrandass Persaud out of the National Assembly, after the former MP voted against his own party in a no-confidence motion on December 21, 2018.

Vieira, who had resigned from the National Assembly in 2010, had been critical of the PPP/C over the years, but has decided to join the party’s list of candidates, ahead of the upcoming General and Regional Elections set for March 2.

Also throwing his support behind the PPP/C was Indar, who, in a post on his Facebook page, said he believes the PPP/C’s manifesto is the “answer to Guyanese problems.” For months many Guyanese had questioned the independence of the GCCI, with many of its statements on national issues heavily favouring the opposition. Indar was only recently replaced as president of the city-based business grouping.

The PPP/C also drew support from Datadin, who had represented the political party and its members in several cases which appeared before the local courts. Datadin has long held association with the PPP/C.

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, expressed confidence in the new persons, who appeared on the PPP/C list, noting: “on our top up list we have 116 persons and a lot of those members are new…there is a lot of new faces, including young, bright people who could lead.”

The PPP/C list also included Lecturer of the University of Guyana, Hugh Todd; Owner of National Television Network (NTN), Anand Persaud and Attorney-at-Law, Sonia Parag all known PPP sympathisers.

Jagdeo said his party’s list, despite including “new faces,” still comprised experienced campaigners such as PPP/C stalwart, Gail Teixeira. The PPP/C in a press statement on Friday, said, having launched its campaign on January 5, 2020 with Presidential candidate, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and, Prime Ministerial candidate, retired Brigadier and former Chief of Staff, Mark Phillips, it again demonstrated that it is truly a national party, with “competent candidates,” drawn from across Guyana.

“This diversity illustrates that the PPP/C, in this, its 70th anniversary, remains relevant and rooted amongst the Guyanese people and nation. It has fielded lists of competent candidates to carry out elected positions in the 10 Administrative Regions and in the Legislature,” said the political party.

The candidates, the party said, bring youth, energy, experience, technical and professional competence and a wealth of knowledge from all walks of life. The PPP/C further said: “these candidates and thousands of others across Guyana have committed to deliver the Party’s vision and plans for the development of our nation and of its people.” According to the PPP/C, many candidates have already proven their capabilities in their own professions, while others have demonstrated unquestionable proficiency during the party’s tenure in government.