NasDem's Reply To Hasto PDIP Regarding "Blue" Apart From Jokowi: Low Politics Not Elegant!

President Jokowi (left two) with the chairman of the NasDem Party Surya Paloh (left) at the Second Congress of the NasDem Party in Jakarta on November 11, 2019. (ANTARA-Indrianto E S)

The declaration of the NasDem Party carrying Anies Baswedan in the 2024 presidential election resulted in the party's bargaining position bearing the blue circle symbol in the government of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) which was questioned by the PDI-P (PDIP).

Relations began to heat up when PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto issued a statement about "blue" regardless of the coalition because it already has its own presidential candidate. NasDem Party politician Bestari Barus assessed that Hasto was playing low politics after issuing a "blue" statement that was synonymous with the NasDem Party's color.

"It is a lowly politics that is not elegant at all. With this statement, it looks like what the quality of Bung Hasto is," Bestari said in Jakarta, Thursday, October 13.

In addition, according to Bestari, Hasto's recent statements also seem to cover up the sluggish PDIP in carrying out the 2024 presidential candidate. If Hasto is worried about the nation's problems, he said, immediately declare the PDIP presidential candidate.

"Don't even interfere with presidential candidates and other party affairs," said Bestari.

Furthermore, Bestari revealed, carrying Anies Baswedan as a presidential candidate in the 2024 presidential election is a necessity for the NasDem Party.

"Because the upcoming elections require political parties to conduct screenings to decide one name that is carried out as a presidential candidate. The NasDem Party has finally promoted Anies Baswedan as a presidential candidate for the 2024 presidential election," said Bestari.

Bestari also reminded that there is no lasting government coalition. Moreover, he said, to determine one name also takes quite a long time. "Not to mention. After all, the boundaries of the Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin government coalition until 2024," said Bestari.

Bestari emphasized that in choosing a presidential candidate, the NasDem Party did not only appoint party officials. But it also provides flexibility for the presidential candidate who is promoted to choose his vice presidential candidate. "For 2024 to 2029, of course, the NasDem Party needs a fast time, so that it can find the best figure to lead the Indonesian nation in the future. NasDem is looking for a national leader, not just a party official," he said.

"It needs to be underlined that Anies is for the 2024-2029 period. So, it has nothing to do with today's coalition, because 2024 batons need to be given to others," he said.

As was known after Hasto's statement about "blue", the NasDem Party responded by mentioning that Anies Baswedan, who was supported in the 2024 presidential election, was an antithesis of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). This was conveyed by politician Pratai NasDem, Zulfan Lindan.