Decentralisation and advisers

Like many others I did express my apprehensions at what I perceived as excessive centralizing tendencies and open involvement of advisers in matters which in the past were the exclusive preserves of public officials. I forgot that some of these were so weak that in their case, private advisers were a blessing. I still think that, apart from a few cases of excessive centralization which threatened to become the norm, this tendency should be checked before it causes discontent in the ranks of the government itself. I am hoping that our Prime Minister will very soon give the green lights for local government elections to be held without undue delay. And this will provide the much-needed safety valve for the pent-up energies of many.

A new mandate and attacking it with gusto

No person who respects himself would engage in apple polishing of the PM and his team. In any case, with his resounding victory, he does not need hangers- on, toadies and flatterers. He starts his second mandate on an optimistic note and is fully motivated to complete the projects he has initiated as well as honouring the promises he has made to some sections of the electorate. It is precisely these promises, which inaugurated a string of promises from rival parties, which will remain the most reprehensible aspect of the electoral campaign. I am sure that the international observers who were in Mauritius for the campaign would have noted this pernicious practice and will say a word or two on it. I personally think the courts of their own volition or the Electoral Supervisory Commission should have been empowered to intervene.

A landslide victory for a young team

The majority of the members of the new government and their backbenchers would not be “senior citizens”. The very few, who are past sixty, have experience in parliamentary procedures and public speaking and should welcome some additional mentoring duties. It is rather too late to deplore the weaknesses of the First Past the Post electoral system. Percentages may be relevant for the appointment of the Best Losers but beyond that it is wholly irrelevant. Gatlin, the American athlete might have been breathing down the neck of the Jamaican Usain Bolt as they hit the finishing line almost simultaneously but the one or two centimeters that separated them determined who was the winner and who the loser. The Assembly will have enough time to debate all these vexed matters and come up with a system of representation which is fair and just. Ex parliamentary parties should not give up and should bring ammunition to the process. I have noted that two opposition parties, in particular, are wasting time insisting on their obsolete ideas until their beard have grown long and white. Our suggestion is that they should refine their ideas and redraft their manifestos before they become elderly citizens fit for old people’s homes. Molière disait «que la parfaite raison fuit toutes extrémités». Ideas should adapt to changing times or else they are carried to the tomb, where no man ever discussed politics (see the poem To my Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell.

A short electoral campaign. Was that done with an ulterior motive?

It would be unfair to conclude that it was deliberately done by the former Prime Minister to destabilize his rivals. On the contrary many of my compatriots would agree that the campaign was short and sweet. It was rather a blessing in disguise for all parties because it reduced the expenditure they would all have incurred in a long campaign to respond to the expectations of the thousands of followers who have no scruples living off candidates during that period. It reduced the number of post meetings picnics at the seaside with hundred of hired buses and the thousands of mouths to feed. Not to forget the countless bottles of rum that are left with the chief agents for distribution throughout the campaign. The more it lasts, the more these people become thirsty and hungry ( I speak from experience). The short campaign has also been instrumental in reducing the phenomenon of “BAZ”. One Baz could exist for four to five months before polling day. That fact alone could disturb the mental balance of a candidate with limited means. One may legitimately ask why these people do not behave like the majority and earn their keep honestly. How would you react if people were to suggest to you to be a candidate for a constituency and not to bother as they will stay with you for the duration of the campaign. They will do everything… you just have to feed them properly! A short campaign is the best formula; it, however, requires that you endear yourself to your electorate well before the election.

The future of all traditional parties is assured

I have just had the good fortune of reading the views of Yatin Varma and Rama Valayden in the papers. I agree with almost every one of their views except in so far as the future of Navin and Paul is concerned. There is a big difference between the two: Navin was beaten for the count and may not rise again. While Paul topped the list in constituency no19 followed by Nagalingum whose score shows that he is sprouting strong shoots in the region and will have to be reckoned with in the future. Paul has a remarkable track record not only in politics but also as a trade unionist and an observer of the international scene. He can comment on African, Asian and Western events like no one else in politics. In the MMM, even if he agrees to leave centre stage, he can do a lot of damage as a backstage manager as a mentor and an andragogue. Such a brain should not be left to decay. One could start an MMM training institution under his leadership and hundreds of young graduates would flock to him to learn how you equip yourselves for public life.

In Mauritius, unfortunately, in view of the texture of our society he was condemned to play second fiddle. He missed the coach during the period 1969-1982 because of undue reliance on some people he created from scratch. His election in the last election shows that he and the MMM are forces to be reckoned with. The future is assured with the election of the young team. If the MMM effects a junction with Labour and the PMSD, they will form a strong constructive opposition, helping the government where this is warranted, in the interests of the nation.