Time to take stock

It is hard to believe that two years have elapsed since the stunning victory of the Alliance Lepep at the general elections held on 10 December,2014.

The Alliance Lepep led by Sir Anerood Jugnauth defeated the Alliance de l’Unité et de la Modernité, comprising the Labour Party and the Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM). Indeed it constituted a real feat as these two parties (Labour and the MMM) are considered as being the strongest in the country. Yet, an octogenarian having already retired from active politics, took the crazy challenge to change the situation. And he succeeded in the same way as David who defeated Goliath, as he himself puts it.

THE LANDSLIDE VICTORY 

Two years since this landslide victory, it is now time to take stock, to recount achievements and acknowledge limitations. Obviously, the Alliance Lepep has honored a good number of its promises during the electoral campaign prior to the December 2014 general elections. For instance, the increase in retirement pension, widow’s basic pension and invalidity pension was implemented soon after the December 2014 victory.

Similarly, Police officers can now regroup themselves in trade unions following the voting at the National Assembly of the Police (Membership of Trade Union) Bill. 

However, on a few major issues the Alliance Lepep government seems to have either taken wrong decisions or it has used the “trial and error” method. First, too much time was lost in the “operation néttoyage” (cleaning operation). Second, there has never been a clear economic policy. Sir Anerood Jugnauth and Mr. Vishnu Lutchmeenaraidoo were presented as the “duo de choc” (a strong duo) who would make the second economic miracle happen. The first budget presented by Mr. Vishnu Lutchmeenaraidoo did not produce the expected results. Furthermore, the “Euro Loan”taken by the then Minister of Finance cost him his portfolio. He ultimately ended at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Meanwhile, Sir Anerood Jugnauth presented another document, “Achieving the Second Miracle and Vision 2030”, which outlined the economic development policy of the government. From December 2016 till date, the country has known three Ministers of Finance, Mr. Lutchmeenaraidoo, Sir Anerood Jugnauth and Pravind Jugnauth. Frankly, the budget 2016/2017 did bring about some “feel good factor”, which was unfortunately overshadowed by the Trilochun file.     

Third, inconsistency characterized the government on quite a number of subjects, the most important one being the Heritage City Project, which was buried, unearthed and re-buried again for good. In the process, the Minister of Financial Services, Good Governance and Institutional Reforms, a figure larger than life, has suddenly learnt to speak less. The Special Adviser to the Minister of Finance Mr. Gérard Sanspeur has also had his share in the tug-of-war over the Heritage City Project. 

“ This Thursday was marked by a historic event. Live broadcast of the work of the National Assembly has become a reality. It is hoped that the New Year ushers in more measures which would consolidate democracy in our country. "

Too much talking and controversial statements to the media by a few ministers have had negative impact on the government. In this category, the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Housing and Lands Mr. Showkutally Soodhun ranks first. It seems that he has a phobia for banners. After having openly expressed his disagreement with the leader of the PMSD Mr. Xavier-Luc Duval (who happens to be the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism) regarding a banner placed by the PMSD to greet Muslims on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, he recently picked up a fight with some persons who had placed a banner claiming that the Labour Party had initiated the project for the construction of a community centre at Parisot. 

Obviously, there have been other issues like the “bal kouler” (bags of coloured powder) which have embarrassed the government. 

THE DESTINY OF PRAVIND JUGNAUTH  

Interestingly enough, it is the fate or rather the destiny of the Leader of the MSM and current Minister of Finance Mr. Pravind Jugnauth that has slowed down the progress of the Alliance Lepep government. At first, uncertainty prevailed in view of the MedPoint case. Mr. Jugnauth resigned as Minister of Technology. His absence from the government was strongly felt.

Winning his appeal against the judgment of the Intermediate Court magistrates came as a relief but this was short-lived as he has higher ambitions. For quite some time, his succeeding his own father, Sir Anerood Jugnauth as Prime Minister took centre stage, outshining achievements of the government and has helped the Opposition, in particular the Labour Party, to grow in public opinion. Things were taking such a turn that even a pact between opposition parties was seriously envisaged.  

Probably realizing that, Sir Anerood Jugnauth has postponed his retirement. These days, he seems to have regained strength. His performance at the National Assembly, either while he was replying to the Private Notice Questions (PNQ) of the Leader of the Opposition or to questions from other members of Parliament, or while he introduced Bills and participated in debates on the same, was indeed remarkable.

Whoever worked on his reply to the PNQ of the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Bérenger on the proposed setting up of a Prosecution Commission, deserves panegyrics. The Prime Minister has recalled that Mr. Bérenger was agreeable to make the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) accountable when he was in office as Prime Minister in 2003. 

“The Honourable Leader of the Opposition, himself, has admitted that there was a need to review the powers of the DPP.  Accordingly, in 2003, he, himself, as the then Prime Minister instructed the Attorney General’s Office to prepare draft Bills with a view to making provisions for the accountability by the DPP in the discharge of his functions.”  

And Sir Anerood Jugnauth had more revelations to make. “Subsequently, on 23 September 2004, the then Prime Minister chaired a meeting which considered the setting up of a Prosecution Authority consisting of the DPP and two deputies to form a collegiate authority.  The current DPP, who was then acting Parliamentary Counsel, was part of the meeting”.

The setting up of a Prosecution Commission, which in other circumstances, would have given rise to technical debates, has unfortunately taken a political twist. The opposition, in particular the Labour Party, is strongly criticizing this move for two reasons. They fear that it could be a means to clear a VVIP and to re-open police cases involving Dr. Navin Ramgoolam, which has been set aside. Rumors that it would provide for retroactivity has further fueled the apprehensions of the opposition. 

Knowing how sensitive this issue is, the opposition is very cleverly playing the PMSD card. Already the Director of Communications of the PMSD Mr. Salim Abbas Mamode has expressed the reserves of his party. The government and the opposition also had heated debates on the Prevention of Terrorism( Amendment) Bill at the National Assembly.

Quite unusually, the tradition end-of-the-year political truce has not been respected because the National Assembly is exceptionally sitting till late in December. This Thursday was marked by a historic event. Live broadcast of the work of the National Assembly has become a reality. It is hoped that the New Year ushers in more measures which would consolidate democracy in our country.