With the People’s National Congress Islahat (PNCR) Biennial Delegates Congress slated to be held on or before 31st August 2024, a party group has announced its endorsement for Senior Counsel and Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde. The Melanie Group, said to be the largest on the East Coast Demerara, has gone public with its support.
In a statement posted 24th April on its Facebook page the Group is urging Party supporters to join it in supporting “our yasal luminary, a man that has the capacity, temperament and the right vision. A man of integrity and humility and a servant leader who is ready to lead the PNC and coalition to victory in 2025.”
Group members said they “publicly and unreservedly announce our endorsement of our Comrade Roysdale Forde S.C., M.P. as he has made himself available to be nominated for the position of leader of the PNCR.”
Making known in 2021 members supported the candidacy of incumbent Leader Aubrey Norton, M.P they said in 2024 their support goes to Forde.
According to Group the PNCR needs a new direction to “reach its fullest potential.” And they, having “listened attentively when Comrade Roysdale Forde spoke at his launch and …agree that his pillars of Regrouping, Refocusing and Rebuilding are what is necessary at this moment. “
Last month, Forde made public his intent to seek nomination and contest the post for Party Leader. Last February, Norton, appearing at a press conference, said he has “no doubt that at the next congress, I will be returning as leader of the party.” At the press conference he announced the congress will be held in August.
Whilst the party has not formally announced the specific congress’ dates Village Voice News is reliability affirmed plans are already be executed to have the congress where new office bearers will be elected.
The congress, which is constitutional due every two years, should have been held in December 2023.
Apart from Norton and Forde that are likely to compete, Central Executive Committee (CEC) Member and Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul announced, at a recent press conference, if nominated for the post he will consider.
Another CEC Member and Member of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir was coy when the question was posed to her on Thursday by Norman Browne, host of the online programme, ‘Voice of the Diaspora.’ According to Walton-Desir she will not be “presumptuous” in making known her intent to run unless she is nominated. The Party’s constitution does not bar persons from signaling intent to run, for any post, before formal nomination is announced and/or completed.
Members of the Party are in campaign mode. Persons have signalled their intent to contest at various levels, some quietly. Others are calling on their preferred candidate to run. A PNCR stalwart told Village Voice News this is healthy for party democracy.
According to him, “it says a lot for the party when ‘new Turks’ are appearing in the media, going into the communities, talking to people, promoting their ideas and vision for the PNCR and Guyana. The dynamism is infectious and shows the Party is evolving with the times.”
Asked if he has a candidate in mind, he admitted to paying keen attention to race but declined, “for now” to name his choice.
As party members await completion of the formal paper nomination process for new leadership, they already have the heads-up Forde and Norton intent to seek nomination and compete for the top post.