This photo of Navin Ramgoolam and Pravind Jugnauth, taken Sunday evening during the reception given by the Indian High Commission in the framework of the 74th anniversary of the independence of India, continues to fuel political debates in Mauritius. Especially since this meeting comes four days after Pravind Jugnauth indicated that he appreciates that, on the ex-judge Bhushan Domah who wrote the Britam report, the leader of the Labor Party (PTr) and him are on the same wavelength.
We know that in politics anything is possible. Is this a move towards a possible alliance or just an exchange of civilities between a former prime minister and the current one? Even if these two leaders have been at loggerheads since December 2014, this meeting gives food for thought on the political situation. Is it possible that we have a government of national unity to pull the country from where it has been engulfed since the start of the pandemic at home? While the opposition does not believe in such a possibility, the private sector is very keen to see it do so.
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Arvin Boolell: “A PM in bad faith”
The PTr leader in parliament does not believe in a government of national unity with Pravind Jugnauth. He says that as soon as the pandemic broke out, during a meeting with the Prime Minister, as leader of the opposition, he suggested that he set up a team with the former Prime Ministers, members of the civil society and other competent people to find solutions to better fight the Covid. “But during our conversation he was reluctant and told me he can’t work with this or that person. Already, I saw that he was in bad faith and today we want to talk about a government of national unity … ”
Pierre Dinan, economist: “A common program to get the economy back on track”
“From the first weeks of the first confinement in 2020, I suggested that a government of national unity be formed, in order to bring together all the living forces of our Republic around a common program intended to put the economy back on track. and to revitalize social assistance, in favor of the most affected groups. To ensure and strengthen the legitimacy of such a government of national unity, I suggested that an assembly of the country’s living forces be convened, in order to draw up a common program to be submitted to a referendum so that the population has its say. tell about the whole project. It will be easier for those in power to put in place a program approved by a majority of citizens rather than a program resulting from an agreement between political parties, without the population having a say. It is specified that the forces to which reference is made above include, in addition to the political parties, the representatives of the public and private sectors, those of the trade union world, those of religions and organizations of a social nature, academics, representatives of ‘professional organizations, etc.’
Ajay Gunness: No way!
Mauritius Militant Movement (MMM) deputy leader Ajay Gunness maintains that his party will never be part of a government with Pravind Jugnauth. “With all these corruption cases and scandals, do you think the MMM can go along with a government of national unity?” He adds that the vast majority of Mauritians, including those who support the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), want Soorojdev Phokeer to be replaced, “but again Pravind Jugnauth is turning a deaf ear”.
Kevin Ramkaloan, CEO of Business Mauritius: “Let’s mobilize all skills”
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Business Mauritius believes that faced with the many economic challenges facing the country, “we must mobilize all skills beyond political and partisan considerations to get the country out of the crisis”.
Anthony Leung Shing, Country Senior Partner, PWC: “National unity is often forged during difficult events”
The boss of the audit firm PwC insists on the fact that “national unity is often forged during difficult trials” and that given the gravity of the hour, all segments of civil society must play their role . “It is important that the government and the opposition respond to the call with responsibility and patriotism for the fight against the coronavirus.”
Jack Bizlall, former member of parliament and trade unionist: “I am categorical, the two must go”
Mauritians need to understand what has happened in the country since 1982 and even after 1983. The Labor Party is the one that saved the Jugnauth and subsequently there have been several alliances between the two. Jugnauth was even once part of the Red government. There has been a long connection between these two families. But I am adamant that the two must go. Pravind Jugnauth must be gone, I have said this on several occasions and officially to Navin Ramgoolam, I had written to him personally to tell him that we do not want him. Both are not suitable for running the country. We must continue our fight for the well-being of Mauritians and have nothing to do with Ramgoolam son and Jugnauth son. ”
Patrick Assirvaden, President of PTr: “Navin Ramgoolam will not comment on the photo.”
The Hope Accord is against
There is no question for the Hope Accord of participating in a government of national unity. “It’s out of the question,” said MMM leader Paul Bérenger. The other leaders of this agreement, made up of the PMSD, the Reform Party and the Rassemblement Mauricien led by Nando Bodha, are on the same page. Regarding the photo of Navin Ramgoolam and Pravind Jugnauth exchanging courtesies at a reception to celebrate Indian Independence, neither Paul Bérenger nor Xavier-Luc Duval have commented.
When Pravind Jugnauth meets Navin Ramgoolam
It’s rare that Pravind Jugnauth and Navin Ramgoolam have been in the same ceremony in recent years. It comes back to us that only three political leaders out of power had been invited to this reception. Xavier Duval, as opposition leader, Paul Bérenger, MMM leader, and Navin Ramgoolam. The first two could not make it because they were held up elsewhere, especially since the feast of the Assumption was being celebrated on Sunday. So Navin Ramgoolam found himself lonely. Minister Anwar Husnoo, former parliamentarian of the PTr, was the first to exchange a few words with his former leader and they spoke about Covid-19. Subsequently, the prime minister’s wife, Kobita, greeted the former prime minister with a “namaste”.
Pravind Jugnauth, after greeting Navin Ramgoolam, teased him by asking him why he was alone and where his opposition friends were. According to an eyewitness to the scene, Navin Ramgoolam, all smiles, told him “here are my friends” pointing to Anwar Husnoo and Vikram Hurdoyal. The conversation continued and lasted for a quarter of an hour. After this exchange, several ministers and deputies went to greet Navin Ramgoolam and even held conversations with him. Among them, Minister Sunil Bholah. When questioned, the latter maintains that it was only an exchange of civilities between a former prime minister and himself.
Before the end of the ceremony, the President of the Republic, Pradeep Roopun, had a long conversation with Navin Ramgoolam for more than 20 minutes. It should be noted that the press was not invited to this ceremony. When asked, India’s High Commissioner Nandini Singla said the health protocol had to be taken into account and, as a result, only a small group of people had been invited.