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Ganjar’s popularity irks PDI-P elites
The social-media savvy Central Java governor has been scolded and snubbed by party leaders.
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Then-Central Java gubernatorial candidate Ganjar Pranowo (center) greets supporters during a regional election campaign event in Tegal, Central Java, on June 22, 2018. (Antara/Oky Lukmansyah)
T
he Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has pushed back against Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo's presidential aspirations as pollsters place the increasingly popular politician as a frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election.
Ganjar was not invited by party elites to a Saturday internal consolidation meeting in Semarang, Central Java, a longtime party stronghold and the province of which Ganjar is governor.
Organized by the PDI-P’s Central Java office, the meeting was attended by central board executives and party members who serve in public offices in the province, including mayors, regents and councilors.
Puan Maharani, a central board executive and daughter of PDI-P chair Megawati Soekarnoputri, spoke at the event. She has emerged as another top contender for the party’s presidential nomination, but her popularity in public opinion polls remains well below Ganjar’s.
In her speech, Puan took what many observers perceived to be a dig at her rival.
“Leaders work in the field, not on social media,” she said. She later encouraged party members to strengthen their consolidation to secure victories in the 2024 general elections.
Read also: Prabowo, Ganjar lead again in 2024 electability polls
