Ganjar's Loyalty Is The Key To Becoming A PDIP Presidential Candidate

Ganjar Pranowo (Photo via Central Java Provincial Government)

Political observer at Airlangga University (Unair), Airlangga Pribadi Kusman assessed that the test of Ganjar Pranowo's commitment, loyalty and ideological direction to political parties was the key for him to be elected as a presidential candidate from the PDIP.

"Here Ganjar seems to be seen fulfilling the test," said Airlangga in a written statement in Surabaya, Friday, April 21, as reported by Antara.

A lecturer at the Faculty of Political Affairs, FISIP Unair, said that in the end, the moment he had been waiting for, the PDI-P, through a decision from the General Chair, Megawati Sukarnoputri, stated that she had brought her cadre Ganjar Pranowo as a presidential candidate for the 2024 presidential election.

Regarding the decision, it was previously marked by various political dynamics, when Megawati did not immediately announce the presidential candidate from the PDI-P immediately.

Various opinions think Megawati has turned her away from Ganjar Pranowo. However, Mega's choice for Ganjar Pranowo seems to be based on several reasons.

First, in the consideration of the PDI-P chairman Megawati Sukarnoputri, the choice of the Presidential candidate is not only to consider electability but more than just that there is another test, namely commitment to the direction of political parties and ideological loyalty as the main criterion in choosing a presidential candidate by the PDI-P.

As in the development of various surveys in the past year or so related to the 2024 presidential election, Ganjar Pranowo is in the top three positions and even in some positions with the highest electability.

"This is a note, but it is not the most important criterion for Megawati Sukarnoputri in choosing a presidential candidate," he said.

The test of commitment and loyalty to political parties and the direction of ideology that determines who will be chosen as candidates for the presidential candidate. Here Ganjar seems to be seen fulfilling the test.

When the PDI-P did not announce its presidential candidate, Ganjar Pranowo was able to refrain from closing himself on other parties who wanted to 'propose' himself or strengthen signals from other parties to carry him as a presidential candidate, before there was a decision from the PDI-P.

"The ability to refrain and statements to follow the direction of the PDI-P through the decision of General Chair Megawati Sukarnoputri is a sign of Ganjar's ability to answer the political test against him," he said.

Second, the choice of Ganjar Pranowo as a party cadre who has proven successful in responding to the test of PDI-P loyalty and ideology as well as the high electability reality of Ganjar Pranowo in various surveys has made an important contribution to the heating of PDI-P machines both in the legislative elections and the 2024 executive elections.

So that the PDI-P will be able to build a coherent electoral political strategy in the winning process in the two electoral political competitions.

Third, the figure of Ganjar Pranowo, who is synonymous as a populist politician, is expected to be able to build solidarity makers who reinforce mutual solidarity, both from their diverse supporters and in a wider realm in the national context, in conflict with political polarization and identity politics antagonism.

Fourth, the choice of Ganjar Pranowo, who has a track similar to President Joko Widodo, is both as cadres of the PDI-P party and their career departs from the regional head before entering the President's leadership stage and is considered to have a common view and vision, making the PDI-P with Megawati's decision to feel the choice of Ganjar Pranowo as the right political choice to maintain sustainable development in the era of President Jokowi.

Fifth, what is interesting is that at the end of her statement Megawati gave a skullcap as a nationalist-religious symbol of Indonesia's identity. It seems that this signal shows the political orientation of the PDI-P in the 2024 presidential election, leading to the nationalist-religious composition, so that in addition to reaching widespread and diverse political support, this inclusive political orientation can knit togetherness beyond the current political polarization.