"It is impossible for me to manage the party on daily basis because of my capacity as the House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker. As the House Speaker, I also need assistance," Marzuki said moments before the opening of the party`s extraordinary congress here on Saturday.
Marzuki admitted he had met the party`s Supreme Council Chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in connection with an offer for the executive chairmanship position.
"I have personally met with Yudhoyono to express that I am not the only one who can handle the party because I also have another task," he said.
In the meeting, he said, Yudhoyono asked him to focus on settling the party`s internal problems.
"We agreed to hold a peaceful congress in an orderly manner," Marzuki Alie said.
He said Yudhoyono reminded him of the need to nurture one voice because the (next chairman`s) position would only last until 2015.
"So, it is clear that our focus is to regain the party`s glorious conditions to win the 2014 general elections, just like our victory in the previous elections," he added.
He explained that there were actually no factions within the ruling Democratic Party (PD) who intended to disrupt the party`s once voice.
"Competition among cadres does not mean frictions. This should be understood," he said.
The PD is holding an extraordinary congress in Bali to elect a party`s new general chairman.
Aspirations from regional executive boards have crystallized to name Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as the party`s general chairman.
According to PD Deputy Secretary General Ramadhan Pohan, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is prepared to be named general chairman if he is assisted by an executive chairman.
"Yudhoyono is ready to be named PD general chairman if there is an executive chief who would help him carry out daily tasks. And this is something easy to do because he can just appoint one," Ramadhan said.
The extraordinary congress is held to elect the party`s new chief after former chief Anas Urbaningrum resigned following his naming as a suspect in a corruption case by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
The election is important because by law only party`s chief is allowed to sign the list of legislative candidates that should be submitted to the General Elections Commission (KPU) soon before the legislative elections in 2014.
It was earlier scheduled that the congress would take place for two days on March 30-31, 2013.
But because most of the provincial and district boards have expressed aspirations to name Yudhoyono, the party`s new general chairman could soon be elected and the congress could be shortened with consensus.
(A014/F001)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
