‘Solid as ever, strong forever’ – Guyana Chronicle
–Dr Ali says PPP is on its strongest footing ever; highlights steps taken to advance party
–APNU+AFC unleashed one of the harshest ever campaigns against ‘poor people’
AS the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) continues to unite Guyanese from all walks of life on the journey to a prosperous Guyana, President Dr Irfaan Ali has said that the party is on the most solid footing ever in its history.
Despite efforts by PPP critics to feed Guyanese the untruth that the party is practicing discrimination, President Ali rejected these claims and pointed to the audience which demonstrated the true essence of Guyana, as there were scores of people from all six different races.
“Solid as ever, strong forever [is] the People’s Progressive Party,” President Ali told the mammoth crowd during his address at the opening ceremony of the PPP’s 32nd Congress at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), on Saturday.
The Head of State passionately said that in comparison to its 2016 congress, this year’s was historic as they are gathered under much better circumstances.
President Ali then supported his bold statement that the PPP is standing on a more solid foundation by highlighting the party’s journey, and how introspection and realignment shaped a better future for the party.
According to him, the PPP General Secretary, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, has been leading the charge and has converted every one of their weaknesses into a strength, which in the long-term benefitted the people of Guyana.
However, despite the progressive steps that the PPP has made, the President told the mammoth crowd not to take this period in the party’s history and its life, lightly.
PARTY WAS TESTED
Never must one forget, according to the President, how the political leadership of the party was tested.
The memories of the instances where the PPP’s political leadership was paraded in front of the courts and their rights were “trampled” upon have not faded but instead the party chose maturity, Dr Ali said.
“They sought to strip the dignity of the leadership of the PPP but because of the strength of the membership of the PPP, that dignity stands outstandingly in our country today,” the Head of State said.
Further, the party’s General Secretary was further applauded for his sacrifice to the people of Guyana, as even with offers that would enrich and position him globally, according to President Ali, Dr Jagdeo spent every hour of his time to ensure that the PPP remained strong and resilient.
He then said: “In that sacrifice was to ensure the PPP remains the champion of the people of this country.”
“….The mandate of the leadership of the PPP was to walk every single street, walk every single corner, touch every community, touch every heart, reach out to every Guyanese and bring back hope, aspiration, ideas, vision to the people of Guyana, and it is this mandate that allowed us to reposition the PPP and to get the message back out there that the only national party is the PPP,” Dr Ali firmly said.
Also, while noting that the “One Guyana” concept was not accidental, the President said it was birthed after their previous congress and it was designed to foster one Guyana, one people and one future.
This concept has been spotlighted by the President consistently, as he has reiterated that the “One Guyana” vision is about creating a more equal society and guaranteeing that everyone is afforded the opportunity to lead productive and happy lives.
NO TO RACISM, DIVISION!
Contrary to the days when the PPP allowed untrue narratives about the party to be peddled by detractors of development, the President said the party has since countered this narrative and taken control by naturally showing to the people of Guyana what the PPP stands for.
“The mission is to rebuild, to modernise, to carry our message to every home, to disallow those with racist and divisive agenda to build our narrative,” he said.
“This party that we are part of has never been on such solid footing in the history of our party. I repeat, this is the strongest that the People’s Progressive Party has ever been,” the President told the mammoth crowd who applauded him.
To the young Guyanese, President Ali told them that the future is in front of them and the PPP has stood the test of time and has not moved from its values and philosophy, which is to always be on the side of the people.
He said: “Young Guyanese-the future of this country, are embracing us- and they are embracing us because they see in us the hope, they see in us a party that can fulfil their aspirations.”
Dr Ali then called out those who are portraying to be the voices of society but only do so conveniently.
“And we must never fail to call out the minority who masquerade as the voice of society but does not have the dignity or integrity to stand up for this country when it matters,” he stressed.
Additionally, the President touched on the journey to the no-confidence motion, the fight for democracy and the previous APNU+AFC “caretaker” government.
“The APNU and AFC unleashed one of the harshest ever campaign against poor people of this country when they were in office,” Dr Ali said.
He also said that more than 95 per cent of the 2020 PPP manifesto promises has been fulfilled and efforts have been pursued to better the lives of every Guyanese.
