POST MORTEM OF A BY-ELECTION

The die is cast, plaudits to the winner. All the political pundits have put pen to paper to tell why this or that happened and have tried to substantiate their arguments. Of course, we can all be wise after the events, but for once, I can honestly say that I was spot on with my reading of the situation prior to the elections in my article, “The December by-election stakes” which appeared in the media and on Facebook.

Arvin Boolell – A worthy winner because as I have said, he has many attributes and is highly regarded by friends and foes alike. He won because he is what he is, a caring politicianand that despite of the handicap of the “casseroles” of his party He won because the electors believed in him as a person. His personal reputation carried the day, and it is too early for the fanfare to claim that it is a return of the grass roots to the fold; those who believe that are misguided. 

Roshi Bhadain – He failed because his message did not get through. As I have suggested, he found it difficult to justify the reasons behind his resignation from the national assembly and the metro express was never the main issue as he had hoped, hence he failed to convince the electors.His party might die a premature death. Too much ballyhoo in trying to sell the product, a more modest approach would have reaped more benefits. Will they learn, time will tell

Jack Bizlall – Did much better than anybody probably expected. A lesson to be learned from those with much more resources. Again as I said, his excellent public image was a telling factor in achieving his lofty position of fourth place in the final results. I did say that until and unless those on the left of the political spectrum field a unique candidate, they will continue to be the also ran, a shame because Jack is someone with lots of good ideas.

Tania Diolle – Proved her potential as I suggested by making clear and intelligent speeches, her arguments were well reasoned. The support that she managed to achieve is down to her and her alone. She was let down as I predicted by a party which has support, which will either disappear on the political scene or will play second fiddle or even third fiddle to a main political party come to the next general elections. Would do better elsewhere

Nita Juddoo – Presented herself well but came a poor second, well distanced by the winner. She was very moderate in her views and did not hit below the belt like at least one of the other candidate. The leaders of her party should have refrained from stating that she will be candidate elsewhere in the future. The electors must have questioned that factor and that weighed heavily in the balance as I pointed out in my initial article.

Dhanesh Maraye – Despite showing promises, failed to gather any momentum and finished in a lowly fifth position. Can have a bright future, dependingon a number of factors. His biggest handicap was and will remain in his allegiance to a party that will always be playing the supportingrole of bridesmaid, and never the bride in any opportunist wedding. Depends on his political convictions, his future might lie elsewhere.

Kugan Parapen – Presented himself well but again a disunited left has not done him any favours and will continue to be the Achilles heel of that group in any future elections. His party is still finding it difficult to rally the young voters and that was obvious in their final tally of votes in this encounter. Maybe, they need to revisit the way they sell their political product because the left is making headway in many countries but not here, food for thought.

So unlike the other political pundits who are very quick now to advise what should have been done, I said it all before without gazing in the crystal ball.