Blog: Winners and Losers

Can anybody tell us in plain language what former Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and leader of MSM, Pravind Jugnauth has achieved by asking all MSM ministers including himself to resign, thus prompting a political crisis? He says that it is to express his solidarity with former Minister of Health, Maya Hanoomanjee and his disapproval of the ways of doing things by ICAC.

Heard him saying that the case lodged against the minister is of a serious nature and she has no alternative but to step down. The Prime Minister had asked her to do so but she had waited for a signal from her party leader to comply.

An open window

Were there no other ways - better ones for their MSM ministers to show their sympathy than resigning? That also when the Prime Minister is abroad? Pravind Jugnauth had to shorten his mission to manage the situation. Instead, he chose to provoke a crisis.

Of course, he has taken the precaution of talking to the Prime Minister and the acting Prime Minister, had assured them his loyalty to the PM and the Alliance de L'Avenir. He has decided together with his ministers to support the government as backbenchers. To prove his sincerity he has asked all MSM appointees - PPS, advisers, heads of parastatal bodies, and MSM-appointed ambassadors to stay in office. By this decision he has kept a window open for his team to come back if the PM so desires.

MSM and Labour grassroot supporters, who have worked selflessly to give the Alliance de L'Avenir a clear mandate to govern for five years feel that their trust has been betrayed. They do not expect such behavior. They still remember how difficult it was for them to merge their efforts to make the alliance win.

The best of all

Even after their victory, the cohabitation was not easy. Some Labour backbenchers and agents had continued to grumble and harass MSM ministers. They believed that the PM had been too generous and lenient with the MSM. He had given them the best ministries, best ambassadorial posts, best chairmanship of parastatal bodies and all their advisers are in office.

They were unhappy with the number of seats MSM was given in rural areas. In constituency number 8, Prime Minister had sacrificed a sitting Labour MP to accommodate MSM. He had also agreed to part with his sitting Minister of Finance to conclude the deal. Above all he had chosen a difficult alliance with MSM than an easy one with MMM to win.

“Reasonable doubt”

And today, for no fault of the PM but on the account of the doings of ICAC, MSM has decided to embarrass him. Perhaps there is a silver lining in things evil. Some good may come out of this crisis.

In Mauritius, where no secret can be kept for not more than 24 hours, nobody knows on what evidence she has been arrested. Even the investigation in her case has not been completed. I was shocked to learn from former Police Commissioner Raj Dayal that 90% of arrests are carried out on basis of what is called "reasonable doubt" and not on evidence.

Pravind Jugnauth, himself a lawyer and his party being in power, could he have not initiated action to remedy the situation? Particularly when one of his own ministers has been a victim? I do not understand what purpose the resignation of his ministers has served.

Prima facie evidence

There is no anticipatory bail system in Mauritius as it exists in India. Could they not have helped to bring one in Mauritius to protect innocent persons against police and other institutions which have arrestable powers?

I am told that arrest of a minister is done on final approval of an independent authority like Governors or the Prime Minister on a prima facie evidence. Is it not time for us to think of introducing such a system? Maya Hanoomanjee should deem herself to be lucky.

Another ICAC victim, a minister, has spent a night in jail. The case against him was dropped. He had to step down at the request of then MSM PM, Sir Anerood Jugnauth who later reinstated him. And today he is minister on a Labour ticket.

At the present juncture, MMM will be foolish to make an alliance with MSM. It is a tainted party. Maybe, by the resignation action MSM wants to wash the Medpoint mud.

Golden opportunity

It is unfortunate that the Medpoint affair has been so grossly mishandled from the beginning. It just provided MMM with a golden opportunity to blame the MSM and the Jugnauth family, then Labour and the PM. The PM took an unheard legal action by reporting the case to the police against the leader of opposition Paul Berenger for disseminating false news; I understand that this is also an arrestable offence.

Now the question is what next? There is some breathing space as Parliament is on leave for three months. The portfolios held by MSM ministers have already been distributed and government is functioning normally.

Open door

As MSM has chosen to remain in the alliance and support it from the backbench, it has kept a door open to settle the issue on the return of the PM.

I am also aware that it is seizing this opportunity to mobilise its activists and is busy organising a big congress to show its importance. Some observers are speculating on the course of action the PM will take on his return. Is he going to use the open door to ask the MSM to go or with his maturity and magnanimity is he going to ask them to come back.

Unlike 1983, when the MSM was founded and Sir Anerood Jugnauth decided to call an early poll with the support of Labour, no party today is in a position to face an early election. Prime Minister is still in a position to govern with a simple majority.

Grassroot survey

Crossing the floor and horse-trading is a constant feature of our democracy. I would not like to venture on the number of 'patriots' who are prepared to reinforce the Prime Minister for the remaining three-and-a-half years of his mandate.

A casual survey has shown that MSM and Labour grassroot sympathizers wish their leaders to clean their wound and let it heal.

They find no winners or losers in this situation. They find only losers. They feel cheated. They hoped good sense will prevail and wish the Alliance de L'Avenir to come out stronger from this ordeal.