"Politics Has A Morality Of Its Own" Basdeo Panday
Today, I woke up with no feelings about Dr. Panday, I agreed that he should get a State funeral, I agreed that he was a man of the people and should be recognized for his contribution to the development of the country.
Dr. Basdeo Panday passed last Monday, January 1st, 2024 and he was awarded by our Prime Minister, Dr. Rowley, the honor of a State funeral. That means he will go out with all the pomp and pageantry of an honorable man, someone we should look up to.
Basdeo Panday, the former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, served in that capacity from 1995 to 2001. While opinions on political figures can vary, here are seven positive aspects of Basdeo Panday's tenure as Prime Minister:
Here are a few of his accomplishments while in office:
1. Economic Policies: Panday's administration implemented economic policies that contributed to stable economic growth during his time in office. The country experienced positive economic indicators, including increased GDP and foreign direct investment.
2. Social Programs: The government under Panday's leadership initiated various social programs aimed at improving the quality of life for citizens. These programs addressed issues such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
3. Infrastructure Development: Panday's administration invested in infrastructure development projects, enhancing the country's transportation and communication networks. Improved infrastructure can positively impact various sectors, including business, tourism, and overall connectivity.
4. Diversity and Inclusion: Panday, as the first person of Indian descent to hold the position of Prime Minister in Trinidad and Tobago, contributed to greater diversity and inclusivity in the political landscape. His election symbolized progress toward a more inclusive representation of the country's diverse population.
5. Foreign Policy Initiatives: Panday actively engaged in regional and international diplomacy, fostering positive relationships with neighboring countries and global partners. Diplomatic efforts can contribute to economic collaboration, cultural exchange, and political stability.
6. Education Reforms: The Panday administration introduced education reforms aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of education in Trinidad and Tobago. These reforms included initiatives to enhance both primary and secondary education systems.
7. Empowerment of Women: Panday's government demonstrated a commitment to gender equality by appointing women to key positions within the government. This emphasis on inclusivity contributed to breaking gender barriers in political leadership roles.
While these points highlight positive aspects of Basdeo Panday's tenure, it's essential to consider a comprehensive evaluation of his leadership within the broader context of Trinidad and Tobago's political and social landscape during that period.
And there was the bad. A friend forwarded a message on WhatsApp and it changed my mind about the man. It brings into question the values we hold as a nation and a people. What we do is who we are. Questions get answers.
The answer can be found in our culture. We have a cultural tendency to praise and admire con artists and charlatans. We have a respectable name for these people; we call them "smartmen". These are people {men and women) who smile in your face while dipping deep into your pockets. White-collar criminals live among us, especially in the political arena.
Please understand, that it is not being imputed here that Dr. Panday was a white-collar criminal. The message shared the facts, let them speak for themselves. . .
We don't want to speak ill of the dead but some things we need to be remembered.
His tenure as Prime Minister was riddled with scandals:
1 The Inncogen Deal
2 The unnecessary Desalination plant
3 The Piarco Airport corruption scandal where he was implicated led to the fall of his administration
4 The rice imported by the National Floor Mill from India was not fit for human consumption that had a bicycle in the shipment.
5 The license that was given to Indian Bank Bank of Baroda to operate in Trinidad and Tobago
6 The use of Indian company Dhanpur Mills to conduct maintenance of Caroni Ltd sugar factories- they supplied faulty and used parts that made the factory inoperable.
7. Voter padding in the General Elections whereby UNC voters in predominantly rural East Indian areas were brought by maxi taxis to vote in marginal seat areas.
8 The appointment of his wife's brother Canadian Bill Chetan as a Minister in the Ministry of Energy who then proceeded to enrich himself.
9 The appointment of the corrupt Finbar Ganga as Minister of Energy where he enriched himself.
10 The introduction of Ghost Gangs in the public works program to buy the votes of Abu Bakr and the Muslimeen triggered a wave of murders to secure a larger portion of the money.
11 The removal of the strict physical requirements in police recruitment saw an influx of East Indian police.
12. The rape allegations brought against him by Pamela Seepersad.
13. The appointment of Ganga Sing as Minister of Public Utilities who publicly voiced there were "too many niggers" in the public Utilities and there was a head count reduction of Afro-Trinidadians replaced by East Indians.
14 As per UNC financier Unanan Persad he contributed $50,000 US dollars to the UNC that Basdeo Panday kept for himself.
15. The appointment of Dhanraj Singh as Minister of Local Government who stole monies for the renovation of the Chaguanas Market and when confronted by Basdeo Panday told Panday to return the party contribution made by Unanan Persad which led to the victimization and maligning of Singh where all manner of corruption changes were brought to bear on him which lead to him dying from a massive heart attack because of the stress and political pressure.
16. The forgiving of the debt owed by Guyana because Basdeo Panday was born in Guyana and came to Trinidad as a little child.
17 During the 1990 coup by the Muslimeen because he had fallen out with Prime Minister ANR Robinson when asked about the coup his famous quip was "Wake me up when it's over".
18 He did not attend the funeral of ANR Robinson because he was incensed during the 18-18 tie ANR Robinson brokered it in favor of the PNM led by Patrick Manning.
19. He brought Kamla Persad Bissessar into the UNC party because in the 1991 General Election Kamla Persad Bissessar contested the Siparia seat on the NAR ticket and lost. He gave her a safe seat and that launched the political career of Trinidad and Tobago's most racist, inebriated, incompetent, and corrupt Prime Minister.
20. Basdeo Panday did not attend the funeral of his Chief of Staff Noel Penco who was killed in a love triangle with another army officer Lance Corporal Anthony Caesar and Panday's wife Oma.
21. He refused to allow Sundar Popo to perform at any UNC rallies or functions because Popo was a paid performer at a PNM rally.
22. The Afro-Trinidadian-owned TJ's By The Sea in South Trinidad was blacklisted by Basdeo Panday during his term as Prime Minister because the owner was a financial contributor to the PNM so no UNC or government functions were held there.
23. To become the President of the All Sugar Estate and Factory Workers Union he and his supporters made death threats and intimidated the previous leader who feared for his life and relinquished the leadership of the union.
24. I forgot to include when Mickela Panday was studying law in England she lived in a luxury condo rent-free owned by Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who company just happened to be running the operations of the Iron and Steel Company of Trinidad and Tobago (ISCOTT) at the time.
25. He was the only Prime Minister of this country to spend time in jail for something he did while in office.
Good or bad, or ugly, may he rest in peace.
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