Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Gaël Rangain
Published on 2024-04-18 17:00:55
The Labour MP Eshan Juman has formally demanded an apology from the Speaker, Sooroojdev Phokeer, in the National Assembly after a heated verbal altercation, resembling a Mad Max episode, with the leader of the MMM, Paul Bérenger, and Senior MLA Rajesh Bhagwan. In a letter addressed to the Speaker yesterday, he highlights that the Speaker’s remarks on Tuesday were abusive. “I feel compelled to express my deep astonishment, disapproval, and revulsion following the comments made by you against Paul Bérenger and Rajesh Bhagwan during the session of April 16, 2024, calling them “Mad” and “Sick”. I believe that you have failed in your responsibilities to preserve the dignity of the august National Assembly,” Eshan Juman points out.
The MP for Port Louis Maritime/Port Louis East (No 3) argues that as the President of the House, Sooroojdev Phokeer must set an example, especially in the context where the National Assembly is preparing to host the 15th Conference of Presidents of Assemblies and Sections of the Africa region of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie this morning. He deems it unacceptable for a Speaker to use such language, which he considers “abusive and inappropriate”.
He therefore requests Sooroojdev Phokeer to offer his sincerest apologies in order to preserve what remains of the dignity of the National Assembly. Otherwise, these expressions, “Sick” or “Mad”, should be tolerated within the parliamentary chamber.
A bitter aside
A tense situation developed between the leader of the MMM, Paul Bérenger, and that of the PMSD, Xavier-Luc Duval, in the National Assembly on Tuesday. As the exchanges heated up in anticipation of the Private Notice Question in the National Assembly, Reza Uteem ironically praised the members of the government by stating, “Zot telma dan bez ki zot pe bizin al ramas PMSD!,” causing annoyance to Xavier-Luc Duval.
The latter then leaned over to Paul Bérenger, seated just in front of him, to express his discontent. The leader of the MMM clearly did not hold back towards Xavier-Luc Duval in return and retorted with, “B… ou f…. do s..”. The leader of the PMSD did not react and simply maintained a low profile until the end of the Question Time session on Tuesday, marked by six expulsions in the opposition ranks.
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
