Former People's Partnership (PP) Senate leader Subhas Panday says he turned down Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's offer Saturday of a diplomatic posting to Toronto as T&T's consul general, in favour of returning to private practice.Returning almost immediately to his San Fernando law office yesterday, Panday spoke after he was replaced as PP's Senate team leader by Senator Emmanuel George.He was also replaced as Minister in the Ministry of National Security by PP MP Colin Partap, a person whom he mentored in law.The change was among several instituted by the Prime Minister in her first Cabinet reshuffle."It's the Prime Minister's prerogative to make her changes and I remain loyal to the Prime Minister and the Government. I know I conducted myself with dignity and integrity, worked hard and strived to be fiercely honest in my stint in Government," Panday added.Panday and others had met with the PM last Saturday on the portfolio changes.
When offered a diplomatic posting that day, he said he asked for time to consider but indicated he opted for private practice since his wife was also an attorney.He said migrating and returning to T&T later on took a toll on re-establishing a private practice.Up to Sunday morning, Panday realised that he was being replaced by George as Senate team leader, but there had been some uncertainty on whether he would remain a junior National Security Minister.However, news that he was off the team entirely was conveyed to him around 5 pm that day.Yesterday, Panday congratulated incoming junior Minister Partap, adding:
"When his father, former MP Harry (Partap), and I were in Parliament years ago I encouraged him to have Colin study law. Colin did his internship at my law firm and I assisted in having him admitted to the Bar so I will always be available to render any help he needs."Panday said National Security Minister John Sandy was a man of integrity and an upright person.He is still, however, trying to fathom why he was axed from the team.Recently during the Cabinet's Tobago retreat, there had been concern about how some operated.He said when he asked if it included him, he was told it was not.He said he was never ever told that anyone was unhappy with his performance.
He said he had never communicated with his brother, UNC founder Basdeo Panday, on Government business.Panday added: "I always walked a straight line, was spotlessly clean and worked long and hard leading the team sometimes in the Senate until 3 am and I liaised well with the national security agencies I had to. I have no money to show for the period I worked in Government."I want, however, to thank the Prime Minister for the opportunity of the experience," Panday added.He said many of his Cabinet colleagues had called him to commiserate and wish him well.