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Gerindra dismisses claim of Sandiaga joining PPP for 2024 bid
A Gerindra executive has dismissed the PPP acting chairman's claim on Sunday that Sandiago had Prabowo's OK to join the Islamic party to run as its 2024 presidential candidate.
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Golkar chairman Prabowo Subianto (left) and former Jakarta deputy Sandiaga Uno governor clasp hands after registering their candidacy in the 2019 presidential election with the General Elections Commission (KPU) on Aug. 10, 2018. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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leading member of the Gerindra Party has refuted claims that party patron Prabowo Subianto has given his blessing to Sandiaga Uno, his former running mate and deputy chair of the party’s advisory council, to join the United Development Party (PPP) to potentially become its presidential candidate in the 2024 election.
“I have never heard of Sandiaga asking for permission [to do so], nor have I ever heard of Prabowo giving permission,” Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, who heads the party’s central executive board, told reporters on Tuesday.
PPP acting chairman Muhammad Mardiono had claimed on Sunday during the party’s 50th anniversary event in Malino, South Sulawesi, that Prabowo had given Sandiaga his blessing to join the PPP while announcing the party’s intention to nominate Sandiaga as its presidential candidate.
Sandiaga, who was attending the event, said he would “forward the [PPP’s] aspiration” to Prabowo, stressing that the decision rested with the leaders of both political parties.
Dasco said that while its founding chairman would never hinder members of his party from “having a career in politics, including those who wish to run as a presidential candidate”, he reiterated that Gerindra had nominated Prabowo as its presidential candidate.
“Any dynamics in politics are normal. However, as Sandiaga said when he met Prabowo, he would toe the party line. So as an [mature politician], if, for example, Sandiaga wants to move [to another party], he should follow the ethical procedures,” Dasco added.
Read also: Sandiaga seeks Prabowo’s approval for potential presidential bid
