Political jesters or serious contenders? Jagdeo critical of emerging parties ahead of 2025 elections

Vice President of Guyana and General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has made public his views on the emergence of new political parties, notably the one to be led by Kaieteur News Publisher Glen Lall.

Dr. Jagdeo, during his press conference last week, dismissed these formations as nothing more than comedic acts, reaffirming the PPP/C’s determination to counter them in the November 2025 elections.

“Every time I try to talk seriously about this gentleman [Glen Lall], I can’t get past a few thoughts: circus, the clown, lunacy, idiocy,” he stated, referring to Lall’s political aspirations.

Dr. Jagdeo highlighted the various tactics employed by other parties, asserting, “The PNC is trying to use race. The AFC is notorious for lying. But this guy? He can’t string two coherent thoughts together. His target group would be the idiots of this country.”

The Vice President also took a jab at the recently announced Guyana United for Accountability and Resource Development (GUARD), saying its promotional campaign resembled a film trailer.

“I thought it was an ad, but this looks like a movie coming soon to theatres near you,” he said, and rejected the suggestion that if credible names are attached to this new group, the political landscape could become more interesting by 2025.

Dr. Jagdeo recalled GUARD’s historical significance, pointing to its origins during the fight for free and fair elections in 1992. He posited that recent attempts to paint the PPP as autocratic might be fuelling the revival of such organisations.

“They have to be creative; if you choose the old name, it’s like recycled people. Recycled people were never comfortable with ordinary citizens having a say in policymaking,” he asserted.

Dr. Jagdeo acknowledged the freedoms of a democratic society, saying, “This is a free country and a free society, and so anybody can contest elections.”

He reflected on previous parties that had failed to resonate with the public, noting, “We’ve had CN Sharma and several small parties contest the last elections. People saw through most of them; they had nothing to offer except their egos.”

The Vice President also commented on the political landscape, pointing to internal divisions within the opposition.

“APNU is experiencing a leadership crisis, with accusations flying among their ranks,” he noted, citing claims of racial bias and harassment within the party.

“They don’t have any program to help people. What are they going to come together about?” he asked rhetorically.

Dr. Jagdeo noted the PPP’s ongoing community engagement and efforts to expand its reach, stating, “We’ve been working hard in communities, and people recognise that the PPP will work for them.”

As Guyana gears up for a politically charged 2025, it remains to be seen how these new parties will fare against the established PPP/C.