Presidential advisor and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) stalwart Navin Chandarpal passed away yesterday morning at his home.
He was 63.
Chandarpal had been ailing from cancer and had been treated abroad earlier this year. He returned to Guyana in July to convalesce at home.
Considered a member of the PPP’s ‘old guard’ and close to the late PPP leaders Dr Cheddi and Janet Jagan, Chandarpal was welcomed back to the Office of the President by President Donald Ramotar shortly after he was elected at the 2011 general elections. He was serving Ramotar as adviser on Sustainable Development, Science and Technology. He had previously been sacked by former president Bharrat Jagdeo. Chandarpal, at the time of his passing, was a member of the PPP’s Central and Executive committees. He had gotten the sixth most votes at the party’s congress in August, 2013 at Port Mourant, Berbice.
Chandarpal was married to Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the women’s arm of the PPP Indra Chandarpal and they have two children.
Yesterday, tributes pour-ed in for Chandarpal, who was remembered, respected and hailed as a patriot and true friend.
In a statement, the PPP yesterday said its Central Committee and entire membership was saddened by Chandarpal’s passing, while noting that he had played a key role “in the struggle against imperialism and dictatorial rule” in the country. “This is indeed a great loss to the Party but his sterling contributions; his dedication, commitment and loyalty to the Party will no doubt serve to inspire others in the struggle for a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Guyana,” it said.
“It is a great loss to us as a country and to me as a friend. He was someone who was very much concerned about the sustainable development of our natural resources and about his country… He was a quite faithful, honest friend. He didn’t hold malice and have always accepted that there could be differences because people are unique,” Prime Minister Samuel Hinds told Stabroek News yesterday.
On his Facebook page, former longstanding PPP executive Moses Nagamootoo reflected on Chandarpal’s life as he knew it. He described Chandarpal as “the last among a crop of committed Jaganite leaders,” while noting their association and friendship for some 50 years.
“Navin was… one of the few revolutionary intellectuals of our times,” he said. He added, “He rose to the top of the PPP’s leadership, but after Cheddi Jagan died, he was sidelined, forced to resign from ministerial portfolio, then ousted by Jagdeo from his job as presidential advisor, which took a toll on his health from which he never recovered. Navin was brave and defiant. Guyana has lost a true son. We share the grief and loss of his wife Indra, his son Rabin and daughter Geetanjali. Farewell, Comrade!”
Minister of Transport Robeson Benn remembered Chandarpal for his trenchant wit and humour. “He had a very jocular mind and many times he would relieve the tensions among us by telling one of his jokes, sometimes from a fairly sarcastic perspective,” Benn fondly said.
“We were all quite concerned at his illness and we know that it’s a tremendous loss, not only at the political level but in academia and in the sciences too, because he was a scientist and made tremendous contributions to both teaching and the scientific development of the country…,” Benn added.
The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) also expressed sympathy. “The Central Executive Committee and members of the PNCR extend sincere condolences to Mrs. Indra Chandarpal, M.P., and other relatives and friends of Mr. Chandarpal. Mr. Navin Chandarpal’s passing is a great loss to his party, the People’s Progres-sive Party (PPP),” a party statement said.
Chandarpal served as a member of parliament for the PPP/C during the 7th and 8th Parliaments. The National Assembly, in a statement, noted that Chandarpal served in the National Assembly with distinction for five years, two months and four days, and was well liked and respected across all political lines. It said he would be remembered for his principled positions, his wit, and fearless and very amiable character. He was a friend to all and fierce fighter against injustice and oppression, it added.
Meanwhile, the Perma-nent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS) also express-ed its condolences on Chandarpal’s passing. “The Chair of the Council, Ambassador La Celia Prince of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, described the passing of the former Minister of Agriculture and Presidential Adviser on Sustainable Development as a great loss. The Ambas-sador of Antigua and Barbuda, speaking for Caricom Member States, described Dr. Chandarpal as a bright Caribbean star and expressed sympathies on behalf of the region,” a statement from the Council said.
According to the statement, other delegations which also expressed condolences during their interventions were El Salvador, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Boli-via, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Brazil, Canada and Mexico.
