Africa-Press – Mauritius. Two days after his dismissal from the post of Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Vikram Hurdoyal resigned as Member of the National Assembly for constituency no. 10 (Montagne Blanche/Grande Rivière Southeast).
His gesture constitutes an appreciable act of dignity. In politics today, very few men have a sense of self-esteem. Vikram Hurdoyal has shown that he is one of these men although he agreed with the Prime Minister not to say anything in public about his differences with the government.
Indeed, the news of the revocation took everyone by surprise last Sunday. A minister dismissed on a Sunday while he is absent from the country is a fairly rare event.
Propriety would have dictated that the head of government wait for his return to the country and inform him of his dismissal in person before notifying the President of the Republic.
But things turned out differently. For what ? In his first statement to the press on Monday, upon his return from a trip, the former minister expressed his astonishment and sadness at his dismissal.
He obviously wasn’t expecting it because he didn’t know what exactly he was being accused of. Apparently, what precipitated his dismissal was the intention attributed to him to resign from the government.
The Prime Minister would therefore have bypassed him by depriving him of his post as minister before he publicly displayed his disagreements with the government.
In fact, we do not currently know the official reason for the revocation. The ex-minister was careful not to criticize the leader of the MSM, even saying that he had good relations with him.
He had a meeting with the Prime Minister last Monday to discuss his political future. However, some information suggested that he was not held in high esteem in his party.
He has been in the news recently regarding the negotiations leading to the election of a new president of the Flacq district council. His foe, the former president of the council, had been dismissed following a motion from certain village councilors.
Dissatisfied, the ex-minister apparently threatened to resign but he had to return to the ranks after negotiations with the leadership of the MSM. However, his sudden dismissal indicates that all was not well for him.
In its history since 1983, the MSM has experienced numerous defections and resignations. Since its return to power in 2015, the MSM has experienced several resignations of ministers occupying very important portfolios.
Before the 2019 elections, there was the resignation of Vishnu Lutchmeenaraidoo as Minister of Foreign Affairs, after his transfer from the Ministry of Finance, and that of Roshi Bhadain as Minister of Good Governance. In 2021, Nando Bodha, general secretary of the MSM, resigned as Minister of Tourism after disagreements with his party.
Before him, Ivan Collendavelloo, leader of Muvman Liberater, a minority partner of the government, had been dismissed following a “confidential letter” from the African Development Bank which would have mentioned his name in a contract awarded to a firm foreign by the CEB.
This matter has since been pending in the hands of the ICAC. Ivan’s return to the council of ministers was predicted after his recent testimony before the ICAC, but the ministerial reshuffle following Hurdoyal’s resignation left him out of the picture.
All these resignations and dismissals within the government are said to be due to the centralizing leadership of the MSM which does not tolerate any contradictory debate within its bodies nor any divergence in the council of ministers.
Certainly, centralizing leadership makes it possible to establish discipline among party members and consistency in communication. However, it stifles the debate of ideas and does not allow for alternative thinking.
After his dismissal, Vikram Hurdoyal had three options: (a) Remain as an ordinary deputy (backbencher) of the majority until the next elections; (b) Resign from the MSM and sit as an independent deputy; And
(c) Resign from his seat as a deputy. He chose the third option. This necessarily imposes, under article 35 of the Constitution, a by-election in constituency no. 10 within a minimum period of six months.
According to section 35(3) of the Constitution, if an MP resigns his seat, the writ to hold a by-election must be issued within 90 days (three months) of the resignation, unless Parliament be dissolved sooner.
If the government issues the “writ” in 90 days, i. e. May 13, 2024, it will be able to hold the by-election within a reasonable period of three months, i. e. August 13, 2024. At the latest, the by-election must take place on October 13, 2024, i. e. within a maximum period of 240 days.
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