JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – PDI-P politician Eva Kusuma Sundari revealed that the talks on the possible running mate for Joko “Jokowi” Widodo continue within the party ahead of July’s Presidential Election. According to Eva, some names, including daughter of former President Megawati Soekarnoputri Puan Maharani, are mentioned as Jokowi’s possible running mates.
Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini and PDI-P lawmaker Rieke Diah Pitaloka are also among the possible running mates. Eva also noted that PDI-P is however open to pairing Jokowi with other figures outside the party. But the final decision is on the hand of Megawati Soekarnoputri as the party chairwoman.
Previously, the option of pairing Megawati and Jokowi as presidential and vice presidential candidates was also voiced by some PDI-P elites. However, the results of various pollsters shown the potential loss of votes for PDI-P.
The pollsters also suggest PDI-P to nominate Jokowi, the Governor of Jakarta, before the Legislative Election as Jokowi is believed to help the party on winning the elections, both legislative and presidential. Jokowi himself has cemented the perception on him as a demigod presidential candidate.
The astronomical approval rating of Jokowi leads far away from his rivals such as Prabowo Subianto, Aburizal Bakrie, Wiranto, Jusuf Kalla, and Megawati. That being said, PDI-P’s official presidential candidate is still a mystery. There is still a million dollar question on whether or not PDI-P would finally nominate Jokowi. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)