MEMBERS of Parliament on both sides of the House stood as one on Friday to pay tribute to the lives of former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) MPs Mr. Alli Baksh, who at one time served as Junior Agriculture Minister, and Mr. Mooner Ahmad Khan.

Eulogising Baksh, who was 70 when he died on November 23, 2017 following a prolonged illness, was Opposition Chief Whip Ms Gail Teixeira, who described her colleague as a humble, faithful, quiet, respectful and hardworking member of the PPP.

“He represented the best of the PPP, making it a political force to be reckoned with. Alli remained unshakable in his commitment and dedication to his party,” she said.
His widow, children and grandchildren who were present in the Parliament Chambers, heard of Baksh’s dedicated service to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), which he served as Regional Chairman for several terms from 1992.

A born Essequibian, Teixeira said Baksh was always representing the people of his region, and played an integral role in the development of the region’s agriculture, education and health sectors.

He always pushed for the upward mobility of women in politics, she said, and was Guyanese to the bone, which was demonstrated in his many fights for the working people who were discriminated against for various reasons.

Government MP, Mr Hemraj Rajkumar, who also hails from Essequibo, described Baksh as a true son of the soil who served the people of Essequibo in various capacities, demonstrating a special interest in agriculture and in particular the rice sector, since he himself was a rice farmer.

“Even though we were on the opposite side of the political divide, we were cordial and shared mutual respect for each other,” Rajkumar said.

“We were honoured to have such a prime gentle Guyanese patriotic soul amongst us. We wish to convey our undying respect, and we send our deepest sympathy to Mrs Baksh, the children, grandchildren and all relatives of Alli’s,” Texiera added.
Opposition MP, Mr Clement Rohee eulogised the life of the late Mooner Ahmad Khan, who died on November 14, 2017.

He was hailed for his dedicated service to the party since he became a member in 1953. He was appointed senator in 1961 and an MP in 1972. “He believed in representation of all Guyanese, and passionately took part in debates so that he could obtain justice for all,” Rohee attested. The House heard that Khan’s specialty was agriculture, and was thus

appointed Chairman of the Guyana Rice Marketing Board, which organisation he kept alive during trying socio-political changes in the country. An articulate and powerful man, Rohee recalled that he also passionately represented farmers. “Mr Mooner Ahmad Khan was passionate about the rice industry, being the son of a rice farmer from the island of Leguan,” he said.
His immediate family members were also present in the Chambers.