If it's one man who owed his political career to former Prime Minister, the late Basdeo Panday, it is Carlos John. The two remained friends for about half of a century before Mr. Panday's passing on New Year's Day.
John recalls many memories of the man he calls "his mentor," including that his life in politics was no bed of roses and how Mr. Panday coped with the low points.
Alicia Boucher sat down with John for this exclusive interview.
00:00 In the year 2000, Carlos John contested in Wanda St. Joseph's seat and entered the cabinet of Basdev Pandey as Minister of Works and Transport, prior to which he was a senator and minister in the Ministry of Works.
00:15 His political career began in 1999, spawning from interactions he had had with Pandey while working for Lawrence Dupree.
00:23 John, who was an expert in banking and insurance at the time, says he was invited to the home of the Pandeys at 4.30 one afternoon, where a request was made by then Prime Minister Pandey to him to join the cabinet.
00:37 I said, "But you're doing a good job and you have your team already. Why do you want me in the end of this time?"
00:43 He says, "There's some incomplete work to be completed."
00:47 So I told him, "I have to think about it."
00:50 He said, "Think about what?"
00:51 I said, "This is a big decision. I have a pretty stable job and I'm well remunerated and I'm enjoying the job I'm in."
01:00 And he told me, "Don't worry about that."
01:02 I said, "I have to worry about it."
01:03 He said, "Well, you could say that to me."
01:05 He said, "What are the issues?"
01:07 I said, "I want to consult the family first."
01:10 And he said to me, "That makes sense. If I was in your position, I'll consult Omar first."
01:16 John tells us Pandey had already had a conversation with Dupre concerning the request
01:21 and a plan was worked out allowing John not to lose his benefits and to resume his job if he so desired later on.
01:29 With that bit of comfort, he went into politics, although not all of his family members agreed.
01:35 And how did he go about preparing you for that role?
01:38 Well, he really didn't prepare me. He just, "Well, Doc, I must tell you, Basil Pandey is an enigma.
01:47 You wouldn't believe it."
01:48 He said, "Listen, you're a populist politician. The people love you. You are natural.
01:54 Believe in yourself and go for it. And I'm sure you'll make it."
02:00 I must say that he very early placed a lot of confidence and trust in me.
02:07 And I became like a confidant. Our discussions were never limited only to my portfolio.
02:14 And the two built a strong friendship where honesty and frankness were part of the foundation.
02:20 Very matter of fact. That's what I like about his style. You always knew where you stood.
02:26 He was not given to listening to move along and so on. He would form his own opinions.
02:33 If you could recall, what would be, I guess, some of those things about Mr. Pandey that stuck with you and are still with you today?
02:45 Well, he was a workaholic. He worshipped work. He wanted quick delivery.
02:51 He says, "We have to change things around." Everything had to be done almost instantly.
02:57 Bureaucracy didn't always work well in that regard, but John tells us it was a sentiment they both shared.
03:04 According to him, the late former leader of the United National Congress was a simple man whose focus was not on material things,
03:12 but rather people in constituencies and groups like NGOs.
03:17 However, his government became embroiled in corruption allegations over the construction of Piaggo International Airport.
03:24 What's his emotions at that point in time, and even yours?
03:29 Well, one of discomfort. Many members of the cabinet, and of course, still so into cabinet secrecy,
03:37 but there was a lot of debate in the cabinet, heated debate, to and fro,
03:42 because some costs were running away and some thought that, "Look, we have to put a handle on this thing because it's getting out of hand."
03:51 But he wasn't comfortable, and we'd ask questions and asking if there's another way we could do it for a cheaper price and so on,
03:58 because he was concerned that the government's image was being tarnished.
04:04 He states that although there were cost overruns, Pandey wanted to see the project finished to an international standard.
04:12 I chose to probably support him because I knew that no man's an island, and he was under a lot of national pressure,
04:21 and I didn't see him as being part of the establishment that was trying to milk the ending from the airport.
04:27 I saw him wanting to get it finished on time and within budget.
04:32 It didn't happen within budget, but he was trying to do his best to contain it.
04:37 So there was an establishment that was trying to milk the airport?
04:41 Well, you see, that was the public commentary. That was the narrative at the time.
04:46 And obviously, it doesn't fall on deaf ears.
04:49 It was only in 2023 that the charges against Pandey were dropped by the director of public prosecutions,
04:55 but John is of the view that he was able to recover the image people had of him before the allegations were made.
05:02 I base that on the high level of national adulation that I have seen in the last week since the announcement of his passing.
05:16 I don't think anybody deep down inside really thinks Mr. Pandey is a crook, because there's no evidence of whether he lived his life.
05:26 And Mr. John, you are getting ready to say a final farewell to 25 years of friendship tomorrow.
05:38 What are your thoughts? What are your emotions? What's going through your mind at this point?
05:46 Great question.
05:49 I say, Tabas, you have served the nation well.
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