A game of thrones staged by show runners?

It was too good an opportunity for Dr. Navin Ramgoolam to try to reposition himself on the political scene.The Mauritius Labour Party was to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its founding and Dr. Ramgoolam had no choice but to stake everything.   The congress held at the Octave Wiéhé Auditorium in Réduit, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the party (founded on 23 February 1936 by Dr. Maurice Curé) was the ideal platform for Dr. Ramgoolam to renew contact with the base of the party. Everything was centered on Dr. Ramgoolam. He was the only speaker at the event. As usual he was greeted by enthusiastic supporters to depict that he remains the beloved leader of the party, not to say the undisputed leader. The “bain de foule” (mixing with the crowd) upon his arrival and on his departure was all well planned. In fact, the first clear message that Dr.. Ramgoolam has conveyed is that he is not ready to quit as leader of the party. “Zame mo pou zett zarm” (I will never give up), said a determined Dr. Ramgoolam. Although he stated that he shared the views of Dr. Arvin Boolell that a renewal within the party was necessary, he gave the impression that he is here to stay. Otherwise, why would insist that till now he has not been found guilty by a court? Noticeably, the organizers of the congress held on Sunday played on two main aspects: the history of the party and the charisma of their leader. The red background behind the stage carried a list of realizations of the Mauritius Labour Party, namely achieving independence for the country, introducing the universal suffrage, making of equal opportunity a reality, setting up of the Welfare State, construction of social housing units for the lower social groups and building of recreational centres for the elders. It is an undeniable fact that the Mauritius Labour Party has played a major role in the shaping of Mauritius as a nation. Despite its much diminished stature after the defeat at the December 2014 general elections but more importantly after the coffers were found at the residence of the former Prime Minister, the Mauritius Labour Party still remains one of the alternatives to the current Lepep Alliance government. Whether it will have the necessary organizational strength and resources to challenge the Lepep Alliance at the next general elections is another question. Also, the party will have to decide, when time comes, on whether Dr. Ramgoolam is an asset or a liability. The main question is whether the revival of the Mauritius Labour Party will happen with or without Dr. Ramgoolam. Probably ballooned by the success of the congress held on Sunday, Dr. Ramgoolam has identified his enemies, not opponents, whom he seems ready to pummel. Speaking at a function organised by Labour MP Mr. Shakeel Mohamed in Plaine Verte on Tuesday, to mark the 80th anniversary of the party, Dr. Ramgoolam urged Labour members not to make any mistake regarding their real “enemy”. We all know that in politics, there are opponents but it would appear that between Dr. Ramgoolam and the Jugnauths, it is now an open war that has been declared. Meanwhile, the rebellion within the ranks of the Lepep Alliance has kicked off from within the Muvman Liberater (ML). In an interview to Mr. Nawaz Noorbux on Radio Plus on Tuesday, MP Mr. Sangeet Fowdar openly criticized the Lepep Alliance government, including his own leader, Mr. Ivan Collendavelloo. Mr. Fowdar who was elected in constituency number 6 (Grand Baie and Poudre D’Or) stated in no uncertain terms that he does not feel at ease within the ML. He averred that there exists no forum within the party where members can express themselves freely. Mr. Fowdar opined that the population is losing faith in the government and that things are not moving. He explained there is no need to find a strategic partner for the Central Water Authority (CWA) which falls under the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, a portfolio held by none other than his own leader, Mr. Ivan Collendavelloo. Mr. Fowdar was also very critical of projects like Heritage City, and the possibility that Dubai Ports World teams up with the Cargo Handling Coporation Limited. He blasted some Ministers for their poor performance and expressed his dismay regarding some political nominations. As it was expected, the leader of the Muvman Liberater M. Ivan Collendavelloo reacted to the comments of Mr. Fowdar, saying that he was surprised. “I do not understand too well the reason for his wrath though it is aimed at the Muvman Liberater. I find inconsistencies in his statement. I would wish that he gives an explanation”. The rebel MP has been convened to a special meeting of the politburo of the ML, scheduled for Wednesday 2 March, 2016. Mr. Fowdar told Defi Quotidien on Thursday that he would attend this special meeting but he was quite evasive regarding his participation in a congress of the ML which was to be held at Rivière-du-Rempart on Thursday. However, he maintained all that he had said on Radio Plus. Interestingly enough, Mr Fowdar has revealed that he had met the leader of the Mouvement Socialiste Militant (MSM) Mr Pravind Jugnauth and in the same breath he showered panegyrics on the leader of the PMSD, Mr. Xavier-Luc Duval. Does that mean that he could quit for one of these two parties? How would Mr. Raj Dayal react? Mr. Fowdar openly stated that Mr. Dayal is too showy. “En tas zes avek Dayal,” had complained Mr. Fowdar. As we mention about the otherwise debonair Mr. Dayal, it must be underlined that he has made a statement at the CCID against former Public Infrastructure Minister Mr. Anil Bachoo, whom he is accusing of having defamed him at a political gathering. Have you noticed that the PMSD is gradually but surely making its way on the political scene? The leader of the party has been very active in constituency number 6 (what a coincidence ? Mr. Fowdar is an elected MP there). On Sunday, Mr. Duval will be in Goodlands where he is invited to attend a religious ceremony. The secretary general of the PMSD Dr. Mamade Khodabaccus confirmed to l’Express on Thursday that the party is very active in rural areas, adding that the PMSD is a national party which should have the ambition of presenting sixty candidates at general elections. All these are happening at a time when the Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth is in India on a private visit. It was through the Indian media that we learnt that our Prime Minister underwent a successful Cataract and Glaucoma surgery performed by chief surgeon Dr. Kasu Prasad Reddy and his team last Sunday. Sir Anerood Jugnauth has the right to go on private visits to any country of his choice and to look after his health. However, given that he is the Head of the Government, it would have been more appropriate if the Prime Minister’s Office had issued a press release to inform the population. That would have cut short the wildest rumours that have been circulating, especially that his son Mr. Pravind Jugnauth happens to be in India these days. Those responsible for the communication of the government should know how dangerous the communication vacuum can be. That leaves us with the MMM. We wonder why the Mr. Paul Bérenger has jumped the gun and has announced that he could be presented as the candidate of his party for the post of Prime Minister at the next general elections. To crown it all, the MMM has not yet decided whom between Mr. Ajay Gunness and Mr. Pradeep Jeeha would be chosen as the candidate of the party for the post of Deputy Prime Minister, in anticipation that Mr.Bérenger is the candidate for the post of Prime Minister. Another odd move is the repeated and relentless attacks against the Madam the Speaker, Mrs. Maya Hanoomanjee on the issue of overseas missions of MPs. Perhaps, we could have understood the mauves had they criticized her for the late payment of bills to the Apollo Bramwell Hospital. This could sound unusual but it would appear that the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection, Mr. Ashit Gungah would have to give a statement to the police in the wake of the enquiry on the alleged falsified “horsepower” of vehicles. The common citizen would certainly ask himself or herself why suddenly the Commissioner of Police has decided that Police Superintendent Mr. Daniel Monvoisin is replacing Assistant Superintendent Mr. Hector Tuyau in the enquiry on the alleged frauds at the National Transport Authority. Do you have any good tip?