Africa-Press – Mauritius. For several years, the Mauritian population has been waiting for the renewal of human resources within political parties and the proposal of innovative ideas in programs.
The upheavals on the political spectrum and within certain parties clearly indicate that this exercise is laborious and brings its share of criticism, unease and even disappointment among some and all.
In the meantime, some institutions are sinking slowly but surely because of their inability to enter the contemporary world Patrick Assirvaden, president of the PTr gives us more details.
Mauritius Times: The exercise of renewing the governing bodies of the Labor Party has caused a certain stir, with in particular three resignations already: Erza Jhuboo, Kalyanee Jugoo, and the former Constituency Clerk of Osman Mohamed; and also a sense of frustration in others with Arvin Boolell and Shakeel Mohamed expressing their displeasure publicly.
Is there a deeper problem whose signs are now coming to the surface? Patrick Assirvaden: Any renewal brings its share of doubts, tensions, apprehensions and anger. First, I would like to point out that we have had more than 3,000 applications for membership within the executive. But we only have 400 places.
Already, this has created frustrations, but it is a fact that the enthusiasm for serving in the PTr is still present among the Mauritian population, especially among young people.
The PTr PB is now made up of more than 50% of young people or new members. The PTr spokesperson is a newcomer, the general secretary is a newcomer, the president of the women’s wing is a newcomer.
Ehsan Joomun and Osman Mahomed had a lot of responsibilities within the party and, moreover, we had to make a balanced mix, with new and those with experience, who have lived and also young people.
Shakeel Mohamed and Arvin Boolell are two members of the PTr who have helped the party immensely in extremely difficult times. I am totally convinced that in the future greater responsibilities will be assigned to Arvin Boolell and Shakeel Mohamed.
I must specify that Arvin Boolell is the leader of the PTr in parliament, and it is a great responsibility assumed by him. Shakeel Mohamed acts as the PTr Whip in parliament.
Let things settle down gradually. . . However, one thing is clear: the PTr needs both Arvin and Shakeel to win the next general election. * Besides, it seems like a ‘rainbow’ Labor Party still isn’t making its way into the party leadership, don’t you think?
The PTr is a national party. This has always been the case for several decades. The window dressing of the PTr must imperatively reflect the rainbow nation of the country; Ramgoolam is, for me, the only unifying leader on the political spectrum.
So when the question of the deputy leader came to the surface, Arvin and Shakeel expressed interest in being nominated for the position. The fact is that it is not one deputy leader in position but two.
In my opinion, it is important for the Mauritian rainbow that the PTr projects the image of a national party. So, I proposed that we not have two deputy leaders but three, which would reflect the sensitivities of the Mauritian nation.
Can I let you know something? I am not interested in being appointed as deputy leader. My position as president already entails extremely heavy responsibilities.
Therefore, I propose that a woman be appointed deputy leader of the PTr with the two others if, I say well, the congress and the executive eventually accept that we have three deputy leaders. This will be an opportunity to further advance the women’s cause.
All this turmoil is all the more serious given the current political context with, on the one hand, a government alliance opposite which has demonstrated its aggressiveness and is determined in the use of its methods of propaganda and political action and , on the other hand, an opposition still divided on the question of the leadership of a possible front of the contending parties.
The message to the electorate couldn’t be clearer about the inability of the opposition to understand and respond to the current political moment, right?
I do not agree with you. The MSM government has been pushing this country for almost eight years towards disaster. All the institutions of the country are politicized.
Some examples: MBC, FSC, FIU, BOM, ICAC, police. I stop here. The methods of the MSM are methods of dirty propaganda, intimidation, threats and money politics.
The MSM government is aware that it does not have a majority in the country. Otherwise, a long time ago, we would have already had the municipal elections.
The MSM government and Pravind Jugnauth are aware of the danger of turning to the people. Those who leave to join the MSM are seduced by its money. This is the MSM method.
Its strength is “money politics”. This is the MSM way of operating. Opposite this party, there are three parliamentary opposition parties. We have respect for our opposition partners – the MMM and the PMSD.
But the PTr is also aware of its electoral power. We are aware that we represent the hope of the hundreds of thousands of Mauritians who believe in the PTr; they know that the PTr is capable of ousting the MSM and Pravind Jugnauth from power.
This is why we have been demanding for some time now what the PTr must do: to be the locomotive of the opposition in the next general elections – and this, without wanting to appear as a “doer” or an arrogant one.
Nope ! We say this while respecting our partners but also being aware of the electoral strength of the PTr and its anchoring in all the constituencies of the country.
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