Jakarta. Panel Barus, General Treasurer of Pro Jokowi (Projo), dismissed claims by Megawati Soekarnoputri, leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), about an attempt to take over her party. Panel described the issue as a "hallucination" created by PDI-P Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto.

"Hasto has made Megawati paranoid. It's merely Hasto's imagination," Panel told reporters on Friday.

Projo is a political organization supporting President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and his agenda. The group previously backed Prabowo Subianto’s presidential bid.

Panel noted that similar takeover rumors arose before the 2024 presidential election and suspects Hasto is behind them. He indicated that these tactics are resurfacing as the 2024 regional elections approach.

As a member of Projo's Election Desk, Panel rejected accusations that Jokowi is plotting to take over PDI-P. He pointed out that PDI-P plans to hold a congress in January 2025, after Jokowi’s presidency ends on Oct. 20, 2024.

"Accusations that Jokowi wants to take over PDI-P are unfounded. By January 2025, Jokowi will no longer be president. What is there to worry about?" Panel said.

He reiterated that Jokowi will concentrate on fulfilling his presidential responsibilities and managing the transition process in his final two months, focusing on key initiatives like the Nusantara Capital (IKN) project.

Earlier, Megawati had expressed concerns about a potential party takeover and decided to stay as PDI-P chairperson despite her age. PDI-P's Chairperson Puan Maharani, Megawati's daughter, also denied any takeover attempts, stating, "There is no one trying to take over PDI-P. Even if there were, it wouldn't be possible."

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