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Basdeo Panday- (born May 25, 1933) was Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 1995 to 2001 and has served as Leader of the Opposition from 1976–1977, 1978–1986, 1989–1995 and 2001–2006. He was first elected to Parliament in 1976 as the Member for Couva North. He is the Chairman and interim party leader of the Opposition United National Congress. In 2006, Panday was convicted of failing to declare a bank account in London and imprisoned but as of March 20, 2007, that conviction has been quashed by the Court of Appeal. He was granted bail on April 28 pending the outcome of his appeal due to his health condition and the poor state of health facilities at the Arouca prison. On May 1 he decided to resign as Chairman of the United National Congress, but the party's executive refuse to accept his resignation. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Image File history File links Unbalanced_scales. ... Shortcut: WP:NPOVD Articles that have been linked to this page are the subject of an NPOV dispute (NPOV stands for Neutral Point Of View; see below). ... This page lists prime ministers of Trinidad and Tobago. ... is the 314th day of the year (315th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 357th day of the year (358th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning (born August 17, 1946) is the current Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago and Political Leader of the Peoples National Movement (PNM). ... Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning (born August 17, 1946) is the current Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago and Political Leader of the Peoples National Movement (PNM). ... is the 145th day of the year (146th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Princes Town is a town in south Trinidad. ... The United National Congress (UNC) is one of the two major political organisations in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. ... This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... is the 145th day of the year (146th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A prime minister is the most senior minister of a cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. ... Parliamentary opposition is a form of political opposition to a designated government, particularly in a Westminster-based parliamentary system. ... A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modelled after that of the United Kingdom. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a parliament. ... Couva is a town in west-central Trinidad, south of Chaguanas and north of Claxton Bay and San Fernando. ... Parliamentary Opposition is a form of political opposition to a designated government, particularly in a Westminster-based parliamentary system. ... The United National Congress (UNC) is one of the two major political organisations in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... is the 79th day of the year (80th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ... is the 118th day of the year (119th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The United National Congress (UNC) is one of the two major political organisations in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. ...

Basdeo Panday is married to the former Oma Ramkissoon and has four daughters Niala, Mickela, Nicola and Vastala, one from his first marriage to (Norma Panday)(née Mohammed) who died in 1981. In 2006, he was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is an award constituted by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in conjunction with the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, to honor exceptional and meritorious contribution in their chosen field/profession. ... The Government of India (Hindi: भारत सरकार [1]Bhārat Sarkār), officially referred to as the Union Government, and commonly as Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of a federal union of 28 states and 7 union territories, collectively called the Republic of...

Early life

He was born in St. Julien Village in Princes Town, to a Mr.Harry "Chote" Sookchand and Kissoondaye Panday, who were both first-generation East Indian Arrivants to Trinidad. Kissondaye's mother, along with her mother, came on the trip via Fiji (they had missed the boat going back to Fiji, so they took the one to Trinidad instead). Sookchand's Uncle, Joseph Hardath Dube was the General Secretary of the East Indian National Association, and was responsible for enrolling Panday in Presentation College, San Fernando. Before the college enrollment, Basdeo attended New Grant Government and St. Julien C.M. School. Princes Town is a town in south Trinidad. ... Presentation College is a Roman Catholic secondary school in San Fernando, South Trinidad. ... The City of San Fernando is the larger of the two cities, and the second largest municipality in Trinidad and Tobago. ...

He was the first of three boys, the others being Rabindranath and Subhas Panday, another lawyer and presently a Member of Parliament. In Presenation College he did well in his work and received a Senior Certificate. He also was a football player and was said to be " a Tricky Dribbler in the Left Center field" and "prone to one-manship".^{[citation needed]}

In 1957 he was accepted into Lincoln's Inn, London (Law), London University (Economics) and London School of Dramatic Arts (Drama). Whilst in England, Panday worked as a labourer on a building site, a clerk at the London County Council and an Electrician in order to sustain himself through University. Prior to studying and working in London he worked as a sugar cane weigher for a year at Caroni Ltd., a primary school teacher at Seereram Memorial Vedic, Chaguanas, Ste Clement Vedic, Barrackpore and as a civil servant at the San Fernando Magistracy, where he took notes for Magistrates Churchill Johnson and former President of Trinidad and Tobago, Noor Hassanali. Part of Lincolns Inn drawn by Thomas Shepherd c. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Senate House, designed by Charles Holden home to the universitys central administration offices and its library The University of London, founded in 1836, is a federation of colleges which together constitute one of the worlds largest universities. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... TVA electricians, Tennessee, 1942. ... Representation of a university class, 1350s. ... Species Ref: ITIS 42058 as of 2004-05-05 Sugarcane is one of six species of a tall tropical southeast Asian grass (Family Poaceae) having stout fibrous jointed stalks whose sap at one time was the primary source of sugar. ... Caroni River (Venezuela), is one of the biggest rivers of the Orinoco basin. ... San Fernando (Spanish for Saint Ferdinand) may refer to: Argentina San Fernando, Buenos Aires, city of the Greater Buenos Aires. ... President is a title held by many leaders of nothing, companies, trade unions, universities, and countries. ... Noor Mohamed Hassanali, (b. ...

He was also an actor and played small parts in several films, most notably " Man in The Middle", with Robert Mitchum. He also performed on the London stage in several plays, one being "The Bird Of Time" in 1961. Robert Charles Durman Mitchum (August 6, 1917 – July 1, 1997) was an American film actor and singer. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ...

In 1965, Panday was awarded a Commonwealth scholarship to pursue a Post-graduate degree in Economics and Political Science at the Delhi School of Economics and Political Science in India. He postponed the scholarship and returned home to practise law in Trinidad because of family commitments and the changing political situation in Trinidad. The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2006 Headquarters Marlborough House, London, UK Official languages English Membership 53 sovereign states Leaders  -  Queen Elizabeth II  -  Secretary-General Don McKinnon (since 1 April 2000) Establishment  -  Balfour Declaration 18 November 1926   -  Statute of Westminster 11 December 1931   -  London Declaration 28 April 1949  Area  -  Total... ‹ The template below is being considered for deletion. ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      Political Science is the field concerning the theory and practice of politics and the description and analysis of political systems and political behaviour. ... For other uses, see Delhi (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Law (disambiguation). ... San Fernando (Spanish for Saint Ferdinand) may refer to: Argentina San Fernando, Buenos Aires, city of the Greater Buenos Aires. ...

Political career

Upon his return to Trinidad, he entered politics and ran unsuccessfully for Parliament as a candidate for the Workers and Farmers Party in 1966. The House of Representatives is the elected Lower House of the bicameral Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago. ... The Workers and Farmers Party was a Marxist political party in Trinidad and Tobago. ...

His most prominent debut into local politics was as early as 1973, when he forayed into the politics of one of the most prominent unions of the day, the Trinidad Islandwide Cane Farmers' Association (TICFA). He was faced with antagonism from the then leader of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, Bhadase Sagan Maraj and the leader of the Union, Mr. Rampartapsingh, who had succeeded Mr. Maraj. These were the favourites of the then Prime Minister, Eric Williams, for he was concerned about the "left-wing radicalisation" of the union membership. The Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha is the major Hindu organisation in Trinidad and Tobago. ... Bhadase Sagan Maraj (1929-1971) was a Trinidad and Tobago politician, religious leader and businessman. ... A prime minister is the most senior minister of a cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. ... Dr. Eric Williams Dr. Eric Eustace Williams (September 25, 1911 – March 29, 1981) was the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. ...

It was in this context that Basdeo Panday came to the fore. Basdeo Panday was able, through backdoor negotiations with the then union leader of TICFA, and then subsequently with the then Prime Minister, Eric Williams concerning the wages and salaries of sugarcane workers, to claim control over the union as the undisputed leader of TICFA. In May 1973, he became the President General of All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers' Trade Union. In 1975, he spent two weeks at the Golden Grove Prison for leading a march with Trade Unionists which was deemed illegal. A trade union or labor union is an organization of workers. ...

Basdeo Panday's ambitions did not stop there. Exploiting the fractural divisiveness that existed within the then opposition of the Democratic Labour Party, Panday formed an alliance with other union members, George Weekes and Raffique Shah. The three formed the United Labour Front and in 1981–1986, he was the Opposition Leader. The Democratic Labour Party was the main opposition party in Trinidad and Tobago between 1957 and 1971. ... Raffique Shah is a Trinidad and Tobago trade union leader and political commentator. ... The United Labour Front is a defunct political party in Trinidad and Tobago. ...

He co-founded the National Alliance (with A.N.R. Robinson Political leader of the Democratic Action Congress,Lloyd Best of the Tapia House Group, to fight the 1981 elections, and later co-founded the National Alliance for Reconstruction with Robinson and Karl Hudson-Phillips Political Leader of the Organisation for National Reconstruction. Following a convincing electoral victory in 1986 he was made Minister of External Affairs and International Trade. Panday acted as Prime Minister in 1987 while Robinson was out of the country. In 1988, Panday, along with Kelvin Ramnath, John Humphrey and Trevor Sudama were expelled from the party after a disagreement with A.N.R. Robinson. It was claimed by them at the time by them all that A.N.R. Robinson was high-handed and authoritarian concerning with dealing with them and decision. Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson (born 16 December 1926 in Calder Hall, Tobago) was President of Trinidad and Tobago from 19 March 1997 to 17 March 2003. ... A politician is an individual involved in politics. ... The Democratic Action Congress (DAC) was a political party in Trinidad and Tobago founded by A.N.R. Robinson from the Action Commission of Democratic Citizens (ACDC) in 1971. ... Lloyd Algernon Best (b. ... The National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) was the governing party in Trinidad and Tobago from 1986-1991. ... Karl Terrence Hudson-Phillips, Q.C. (b. ... The Organisation for National Reconstruction (ONR) was a short-lived political party in Trinidad and Tobago led by Karl Hudson-Phillips and Surujrattan Rambachan. ... A prime minister is the most senior minister of a cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. ... Seether is a four piece Hard Rock band from South Africa. ... // Robinson is the name of some places: Robinson, Illinois, United States Robinson, North Dakota, United States Robinson, Texas, United States Robinson, name of a hill in Englands Lake District H.B. Robinson Nuclear Generating Station is a nuclear power plant in the U.S. state of South Carolina Robinson... // Robinson is the name of some places: Robinson, Illinois, United States Robinson, North Dakota, United States Robinson, Texas, United States Robinson, name of a hill in Englands Lake District H.B. Robinson Nuclear Generating Station is a nuclear power plant in the U.S. state of South Carolina Robinson...

He then founded the Club for Love, Unity and Brotherhood (CLUB 88) which became the United National Congress. In 1992 their candidates won more seats in that year's election than the then NAR. On such a basis, the members of what was to become the UNC, argued this in parliament to become the opposition members (newcomer Hulsie Bhaggan defeated political heavyweight Winston Dookeran for the Chaguanas seat), but the party only won 13 of 36 seats nationally. It improved this margin to 17 in the 1995 General Elections elections. It could not form the majority in parliament to form the Cabinet,so ,with the support of the two seats held by Robinson and the NAR, Panday was appointed the country's first Indo-Trinidadian and the first Hindu Prime Minister. A.N.R. Robinson became the first Tobagonian to become president. The United National Congress (UNC) is one of the two major political organisations in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. ... Winston Dookeran is a Trinidad and Tobago politician and economist. ... The Borough of Chaguanas is the largest (67,433, 2000 census) and fastest-growing[1][2] town in Trinidad and Tobago. ... Elections in Trinidad and Tobago gives information on election and election results in Trinidad and Tobago. ... A cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of government, typically representing the executive branch. ... This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ...

Under the leadership of Mr. Panday the UNC went on to win the 2000 election but internal strife in the party forced another election in 2001 which resulted in a tie. Without any clear constitutional guidelines, President Robinson chose to appoint Patrick Manning as the Prime Minister based on "moral and spiritual values". Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning (born August 17, 1946) is the current Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago and Political Leader of the Peoples National Movement (PNM). ...

Legal problems

On May 31, 2005, Panday, together with his wife, Oma and former UNC MP Carlos John and businessman Ishwar Galbaransingh (chairman of Northern Construction Limited) were arrested on corruption charges. The State alleged that the Pandays had received TT$250,000 on December 30, 1998 from John and Galbaransingh in exchange for giving Northern Construction a construction contract for the Piarco Airport Development Project (PADP). Panday refused bail and chose to remain in prison for a short while. is the 151st day of the year (152nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The United National Congress (UNC) is one of the two major political organisations in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. ... is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Piarco International Airport (IATA: POS, ICAO: TTPP) is the main airport serving Trinidad and Tobago. ...

Panday, Mrs. Panday and John were placed on TT$750,000 bail, while Galbaransingh was placed on a $1,000,000. This was called a punitive bail both by supporters of the UNC and by former Attorney General Ramesh Maharaj, a sometime political opponent of Panday. On June 7, 2005, bail was reduced to TT$650,000. A day later, Panday accepted bail after being jailed for over a week. The United National Congress (UNC) is one of the two major political organisations in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. ... In most common law jurisdictions, the Attorney General is the main legal adviser to the government, and in some jurisdictions may in addition have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions. ... Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, a human rights lawyer, and former Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago, is the leader of National Team Unity, a political party in Trinidad and Tobago. ... is the 158th day of the year (159th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Ironically, the evidence for the charges laid against him was the product of two administrations, one of which was Panday's, and, in this administration, the evidence of the charges was due to investigations done by a U.S. private investigator hired by the Ministry of legal affairs when Basdeo Panday was Prime Minister.The law's amendment, under which Basdeo Panday was charged, also was a product of the Basdeo Panday administration.

On March 20, 2007, the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction against Panday for failing to declare a London bank account.^[1] is the 79th day of the year (80th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ...

The three Court of Appeal judges agreed that there was in fact a real possibility of bias by Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls in his April 24, 2006 ruling, which found Panday guilty on three counts of failing to declare a London bank account to the Integrity Commission for the years 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively, contrary to Section 27 (1)(b) of the Integrity in Public Life Act 1987.^[2] Information that surfaced later on, linked Chief Magistrate McNicolls to a multi-million dollar land deal and a company associated with one of the main witnesses in the Basdeo Panday trial.^[3] This information, along with the fact that Chief Magistrate McNicolls refused to give evidence for the criminal prosecution of the Chief Justice, which caused that prosecution to fail, were the main arguments used by Panday's lawyers in his Appeal Court hearing. is the 114th day of the year (115th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ...

2005 — present

In September, 2005, Panday nominated Winston Dookeran (St. Augustine M.P.) as his successor as political leader. Panday himself was nominated for the party Chairmanship. On October 2, 2005 both Panday and Dookeran won their posts unopposed (see United National Congress). Since appointing Dookeran to succeed him, the UNC has been divided with many members calling for Panday to hand over power absolutely to Dookeran in the form of the Leader of the Opposition. Panday has since failed to do so, and with the Opposition MPs split 8-8 on the issue, Panday has remained as the leader of the Opposition. is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The United National Congress (UNC) is one of the two major political organisations in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. ...

In February 2006, Panday invited estranged former Attorney General, Ramesh Lawerence Maharaj back into the UNC. This led to divided opinion inside and outside the UNC and saw the revocation, by Panday, of the appointment of Senator Robin Montano, a vocal opponent to the return of Maharaj. Following this came the resignation from the Senate of Roy Augustus. Panday replaced Montano with Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, a loyalist and CEO of the UNC and Augustus with former Trinidad and Tobago sprint star Ato Boldon. Boldon stated that he was first invited to become a senator by FIFA Vice-President and Deputy Political Leader of the UNC, Austin "Jack" Warner. Ato Jabari Boldon (born December 30, 1973) is a retired athlete from Trinidad and Tobago, the 1997 200 m World Champion and four-time Olympic medal winner. ... Austin Jack Warner (b. ...

Now in the twilight of his political career, he has been re-called as leader of the United National Congress, which will almost certainly involve him doing battle with his old adversary the PNM again.

See also

• Pravasi Bharatiya Samman
• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is an award constituted by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in conjunction with the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, to honor exceptional and meritorious contribution in their chosen field/profession. ... The Government of India recognizes the first week of January as the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Hindi: Pravasi - Non-resident or diaspora, Bharatiya - Indian, Divas - day). ...

References

1. ^ Loutoo, Jada. "Appeal Court quashes Panday’s conviction", Trinidad Publishing Company Limited, 2007-03-21. Retrieved on 2007-03-27. 
2. ^ Cummings, Stephen. "Trinidad's opposition leader set to go on trial", Caribbean Net News, 2006-01-16. Retrieved on 2007-02-19. 
3. ^ Bahaw, Darren. "Panday seeks bias ruling against McNicolls", Trinidad & Tobago Express, 2007-03-14. Retrieved on 2007-03-15. 

v • d • e Prime Ministers of Trinidad and Tobago
Eric Williams • George Chambers • A. N. R. Robinson • Patrick Manning • Basdeo Panday • Patrick Manning

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ... is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ... is the 86th day of the year (87th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ... [[Media:Italic text]]{| style=float:right; |- | |- | |} is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ... is the 73rd day of the year (74th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ... is the 74th day of the year (75th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning (born August 17, 1946) is the current Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago and Political Leader of the Peoples National Movement (PNM). ... This page lists prime ministers of Trinidad and Tobago. ... Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning (born August 17, 1946) is the current Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago and Political Leader of the Peoples National Movement (PNM). ... Parliamentary opposition is a form of political opposition to a designated government, particularly in a Westminster-based parliamentary system. ... Raffique Shah is a Trinidad and Tobago trade union leader and political commentator. ... Raffique Shah is a Trinidad and Tobago trade union leader and political commentator. ... Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning (born August 17, 1946) is the current Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago and Political Leader of the Peoples National Movement (PNM). ... Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning (born August 17, 1946) is the current Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago and Political Leader of the Peoples National Movement (PNM). ... Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning (born August 17, 1946) is the current Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago and Political Leader of the Peoples National Movement (PNM). ... Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning (born August 17, 1946) is the current Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago and Political Leader of the Peoples National Movement (PNM). ... Kamla Persad-Bissessar, a Trinidad and Tobago politician and lawyer, was the first woman to serve as Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago. ... This page lists prime ministers of Trinidad and Tobago. ... Dr. Eric Williams Dr. Eric Eustace Williams (September 25, 1911 – March 29, 1981) was the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. ... This article is about the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. ... Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson (born 16 December 1926 in Calder Hall, Tobago) was President of Trinidad and Tobago from 19 March 1997 to 17 March 2003. ... Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning (born August 17, 1946) is the current Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago and Political Leader of the Peoples National Movement (PNM). ... Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning (born August 17, 1946) is the current Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago and Political Leader of the Peoples National Movement (PNM). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Trinidad_and_Tobago. ...

External links

• NALIS Biography of Basdeo Panday
• Official Website of the United National Congress