PPP Central Committee wants evaluation of ministers
The need for a critical evaluation of ministerial performance, and the importance of leadership renewal were two of the matters raised at a Central Committee meeting of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) on Saturday. Sources say that the committee was critical of ministers' performance in government, and considered that some form of ongoing evaluation was necessary, possibly by the Central Committee itself which meets every four months. In addition, it was suggested that other people needed to be drafted into the leadership to give it new life, and to replace those who were not performing. According to reports the mood at the meeting was serious and introspective, and looked at the changed circumstances under which the ruling party might have to go to an election. The recognition that the traditional constituency of the PPP could no longer be taken for granted was one of the factors which influenced the direction of the discussions, this newspaper was told. While the matter of the succession to the leadership of the party was not addressed in a direct way, sources said that the general feeling was that the 'A' team formula agreed on before the 1997 election, whereby Minister of Finance Bharat Jagdeo would succeed President Jagan if she stepped down for any reason, was no longer viable. They also indicated that there was no talk of Mrs Jagan not continuing in office for the time being; she might adopt a slower pace, but she was not expected to resign. It emerged from the meeting, sources said, that the two possible candidates who might be in contention for the leadership in the future were Moses Nagamootoo and Ralph Ramkarran, although the latter expressed no overt intention of seeking the presidency during the course of the discussions. However, they continued, if the party was split on the matter, it was always possible that Dr Roger Luncheon might be settled upon as a compromise candidate. Analysts say that a reversal of the 'A' team decision would have to be taken at a Central Committee meeting and endorsed by President Jagan. The decision about a new successor to her might also have to go to Congress.
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