Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Sarah Jane Lebrasse
Published on 2024-04-19 08:00:56
Activists from the alliance of the Labour Party (PTr) and the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) in Beau-Bassin/Petite-Rivière (No. 20) gathered yesterday at the Alex Vellin center as part of the political rally mobilization for May 1st. Rajesh Bhagwan explained that these two parties have decided to come together “to save the country.” In front of the enthusiastic audience, he stated: “There is a sense of 1995, where we had a great victory. This campaign is not like 2014, as there is a synergy between the Labour party and the militants.” However, he warned against overconfidence by saying, “Don’t make the mistake of thinking we are too strong. Don’t play games in politics!” He described the main opponent, the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), as running a “threatening and communal” campaign, adding, “They’re using NSS and MBC to intimidate people!”
Rajesh Bhagwan even removed a member of the National Security Service (NSS) who was present at the opposition activists’ meeting. He emphasized, “He gave me a fake name. I know those NSS and their boss. I have their photos!” He lamented the “pressure” being exerted on elderly people to attend the MSM meeting in Vacoas on May 1st. “They are coming without interest, putting pressure on elderly people and women to get on the bus on May 1st. They are telling them they will have to draw and write confession letters,” he added. He also criticized elements of the NSS who were threatening to transfer or dismiss members of the public to prevent them from attending the PTr-MMM meeting in Port Louis on Labour Day. The first member of parliament for No. 20 also denounced “a communal campaign led by the MBC.”
Rajesh Bhagwan expressed his disapproval of the recent actions of opposition parliamentarians in the House. “They are doing this with a communal mindset. Why does MBC not show opposition leader, Patrick Assirvaden, alongside Paul Bérenger standing together?” He avoided dwelling on his ejection from the National Assembly last Tuesday. “I don’t have a problem Phokeer. Do you think I’m crazy? I had to be mentally strong,” he emphasized in response to the Mad Max incident in Parliament. He called for a “human overflow” in the capital on May 1st “for change.”
His colleague Franco Quirin briefly discussed the departure of the Mauritian Social Democratic Party (PMSD) from the alliance. “We knew Pravind Jugnauth would do everything to break the alliance. He managed to find a partner who betrayed us!” he said. He also criticized the attitude of the leader of the Blues, Xavier-Luc Duval, who, according to him, “was never in a hurry to finalize the alliance” and “was negotiating with the MSM.”
The MMM deputy also criticized the Speaker, Sooroojdev Phokeer. “Phokeer was brought in to prevent us from doing our job. He incites to throw us out. The government is happy when Phokeer harasses us. Pravind Jugnauth brought in someone to terrorize the opposition,” he emphasized.
However, Franco Quirin believes that Sooroojdev Phokeer’s approach is backfiring against the government, as it is the opposition that enjoys sympathy from the people. He also mentioned the devastation caused by the drug scourge, the struggles of artists to organize concerts, and the lack of a plan to revive sports in the country.
Karen Foo Kune discussed the living conditions of the population. “Today, Mauritians suffer from the high cost of living, despite the compensation,” she protested. “People are stressed and cannot make ends meet. Today, they are taking loans to survive, parents have to work multiple jobs to feed their families. How will the future of these families look like, as the youth are frustrated with injustice and lack of meritocracy?” she continued. She stated that the PTr-MMM alliance aims to bring back the joy of living in a Mauritian society in despair.
Former Labour candidate for No. 20, Norbert Marcel, clarified that the three incumbent MPs will be reinstated as candidates in this constituency. “We will work hand in hand, as they are not MMM candidates, but PTr-MMM alliance candidates,” he said. “It’s a team effort, and we must not let ourselves be divided by MSM tricks. There are concessions to be made. In some constituencies, there will be only PTr candidates. That’s normal!” he concluded.
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
