Blog: Only Option - Complete the Mandate

The one and only option, I believe, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has in the present political situation is to complete the remaining four years of his mandate.

It is not the MSM or any constituent of the L'Alliance de l'Avenir that has given him this mandate to govern the country. It is the majority of the people on their own free will, expressed in a free and fair election who had given him this mandate.

In our democratic system the single most important factor which determines the outcome at a general election and ensures the victory of a party is the leader. It is a kind of referendum in which the electorate decides to vest their power and make him Prime Minister. Last year, the verdict was loud and clear. It was Navin Ramgoolam. It is his sacred duty to lead the country contre vents et marées.

Of course, in an alliance all parties are given their fair share of responsibility. Most observers believe that the MSM got more than it deserved in the cabinet - six major portfolios including that of finance.

Most of the MPs from MSM have been elected in secure Labour-dominated rural constituencies. They were elected to support Navin Ramgoolam as Prime Minister and to help him to implement the alliance's programme.

I do not know anyone who approves the action of Pravind Jugnauth, leader of the MSM and former vice prime minister and Minister of Finance, in forcing all ministers of his party to resign in order to express their solidarity with Maya Hanoomanjee, and as a protest against the decision of ICAC to arrest her on ground of using her official position for gratification of a third party.

I was not surprised to find that the most vehement disapproval and disappointment came from the supporters of MSM themselves. They say that they had worked very hard to accommodate themselves with Labour Party to bring victory to their candidates. They feel cheated and betrayed.

In the Medpoint affair - some say Mudpoint affair - ICAC is just doing its job. Many top officials have been arrested and charged. They have been interdicted. Once charged, there is no alternative for a minister than to step down. There is precedence during MSM reign.

Maya Hanoomanjee resisted the request of the PM to step down. Later the MSM leader revealed that she did so on his advice. It is unthinkable that any Prime Minister, the least Navin Ramgoolam will tolerate that his authority and prerogative be challenged by any leader of the constituting alliance.

I am sure that by now Pravind Jugnauth must have realised the enormity of the blunder he has committed. The reaction of the media, the public and the independent observers has been hostile. They have openly condemned him for his puerile decision. It is considered that he has shot himself in his foot and knocked himself out of their race to be a prime ministerial candidate for a long time.

He is a lawyer, has held important ministerial portfolios, has been groomed by Sir Anerood and Paul Berenger, became the leader of MSM, broke from MMM and gave victory to his party under Navin Ramgoolam. No meager feat.

Then how come suddenly he decides to throw his party, his MPs, his workers in wilderness? Has he overestimated his bargaining or blackmailing power? Everybody knows such tactics do not cut ice with Navin Ramgoolam.

Has he not proved MMM and Paul Berenger right when they said that he is not worthy of sharing PMs power or being PM?

In spite of some irritants in our system, the Prime Minister holds practically dictatorial powers. It was in 1976 during the OAU summit in Mauritius that Sir Harold Walter had enumerated the powers of the Mauritian PM, and Sir Seewoosagur was chosen Chairman of the OAU.

A senior Indian diplomat had revealed that during a private dinner at his residence replying to a taunt by Sir Satcam Boolell, Sir Anerood Jugnauth had coolly said that thanks to SSR the powers of the PM are defined and he knows them. He knows what they are and he was not going to pick up any quarrel with Paul Berenger before becoming PM. History has shown that Sir Anerood Jugnauth has used those powers to the full to govern Mauritius for so long.

Some people think that Pravind Jugnauth has gambled and organised a putsch. I do not think so. He has taken the precaution of talking to the PM, swearing his allegiance to him and to the alliance. He prefers to sit with his ministers as backbenchers. We all know the value of words spoken by politicians. They say something, mean something else and do other things.

Today, the Prime Minister enjoys a simple majority. With much less SSR governed for his full term. MSM MPs are swearing their allegiance to the leadership of Pravind Jugnauth. Some are doing so, still believing that things will work out and they will get back their posts. But once the divorce is consummated and if a nod comes their way, will they be wrong in staying back and supporting the PM? Will they not be able to justify their position by saying that they are respecting the mandate they got from the voters?

If Pravind Jugnauth leaves the alliance, will they not be treated as betraying their followers? The smartest and happiest man must be Paul Berenger. As a fine strategist, he has been able to drag MSM, his former ally, out of government. Claiming that the MMM has been able to discover the Medpoint scandal I find it difficult for the MMM to associate itself with the tainted party.

What future is there for the MSM if both Labour and MMM dump it? Can it stand on its own in a three-cornered fight? Both Labour with its 75 years of history and MMM with its 42 years behind it enjoy solid support in their electorate.

MSM has always been a marginal party, riding on the shoulders and piggyback on others to be on top. Of course the leadership, wisdom and experience of SAJ have contributed to a large measure to hold the mind, heart and trust of the people. Does anybody see these qualities in Pravind Jugnauth?

 A marginal party is asking for early general elections. The FSM of Cehl Meeah has called upon the MSM members to resign from Parliament and seek a fresh mandate from the electorate.

Labour is a champion in winning by-elections. Curé, Xavier Duval and Rajesh Jeetah came back in Parliament through by-elections.

Even Pravind Jugnauth was elected in constituency number eight by defeating his own uncle Ashok Jugnauth with the support of Labour in the 2009 by-election.

The amount of sympathy, the futile action the MSM has generated in favour of Navin Ramgoolam will be sufficient for Labour to sweep all the seats of MSM MPs. They will commit hara-kiri if they decide to resign. I have learnt that some ministers were unwilling to leave but were forced to do so on the understanding that the Prime Minister will give them back their position on his return.

Last Monday the Prime Minister met the President of the Republic and Pravind Jugnauth at their request. The President also happens to be the founder leader of MSM and father of Pravind.  Nobody knows what they have talked.

But it will be foolish on the part of the PM if he gives back the same portfolios to those who have resigned. He will look weak. The best he can do is to accommodate some on his terms by offering them the portfolios of his choice. It is inconceivable that Pravind Jugnauth will accept such a proposal.

As such, the one and only option remaining for Navin Ramgoolam is to complete his mandate, govern with or without MSM or with some from MSM. The PM remains the sole judge and master of the situation.