ormer Prime Minister Basdeo Panday has passed away.
This was confirmed by his daughter Mickela Panday this evening.
In a post to social media she said, “ With deep sorrow, we would like to share that our loving husband and father, Basdeo Panday passed away on 1st January 2024, surrounded by his family. In life and death he was a fighter. He passed with his boots on, keeping everybody around him on their toes with his wit and humour. He will live on in all of us, remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, leader, and friend. He was an inspiration to his family and everybody that knew him. We will continue to celebrate his life and treasure the time we were able to spend with him.
Panday was Trinidad and Tobago’s fifth prime minister serving from 1995-2001.
He was the leader of the United National Congress up to 2010 when he was replaced by Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar sent tributes on Facebook saying, “I am saddened that Mr Panday has passed away. I will always love him and be grateful that he was a significant influence in my life.
He was a great leader and spent most years of his life helping the oppressed and poor. Mr Panday will always be remembered with love and adoration by all of us whose lives he touched.
I express my condolences to all his loved ones.
May his soul rest in peace. He will be missed but will always be remembered and loved.”
Prime Minister Rowley also sent condolences saying, “It is with sadness that I received the news today that the actor, Lawyer, Labour leader and Politician that was Basdeo Panday has passed on.
This is a man, a citizen, whose impact was felt at every step of the way as he made his mark so indelibly on the people of our nation. Having served the nation for so long and in so many different ways, with such resolve and panache, he can only be recognized as a true believer in this nation and its potential.
Now that he is no more, we are called upon not just to mourn but to celebrate his life and endeavour to be worthy colleagues of his legacy.
My condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
President Christine Kangaloo said she was “deeply saddened” by the death.
“Union leader, politician, statesman, husband and father, Mr. Panday, though diminutive in stature was a giant of a man who led this country with passion and compassion.