Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Johanne Prosper
Published on 2024-04-06 08:00:52
Navin Ramgoolam meets Adrien Duval on the opposition alliance package
The MMM’s BP adopts the motto: no gifts to the MSM government. The PMSD has been on high alert since yesterday afternoon following a meeting between Adrien Duval, son of the leader of the opposition Xavier-Luc Duval, and the leader of the Labour Party (PTr), Navin Ramgoolam, at the latter’s office in Port Louis. Adrien Duval expressed the dissatisfaction of the PMSD with the announcement by the Labour leader regarding the distribution of tickets in the electoral deal between the PTr, MMM, and PMSD, which stands at 35-17-8. With the PMSD now facing a take-it-or-leave-it package, time is running out for the opposition’s May Day meeting.
While Navin Ramgoolam, Paul Bérenger, and Xavier-Luc Duval were supposed to meet yesterday as stated by the leader of the Reds last Wednesday, the meeting did not take place. The delay was reportedly due to the PTr’s expected response to Xavier-Luc Duval’s demands made earlier in the week, such as further nominations in the capital, preferably in Port Louis Maritime/Port Louis East.
As the PTr did not present any counter-proposal to the PMSD yesterday, no further meetings will be scheduled between the three leaders until further notice. Meanwhile, Xavier-Luc Duval asked the PTr yesterday to consider the concerns expressed publicly by Adrien Duval.
Sources indicated yesterday evening that Navin Ramgoolam had presented a package linked to the eight tickets for PMSD candidate nominations, which also included the distribution of ministerial portfolios and other appointments chosen by the PMSD. It was made clear that the PMSD is now facing a final package in these negotiations, which have been ongoing for several months. Following the meeting between Navin Ramgoolam and Adrien Duval yesterday, tensions seemed to ease, and optimism returned for a positive outcome among the three alliance partners.
“We had a frank and amicable discussion. It’s about the natural relationship that PMSD has with the Labour Party, a long-standing relationship, so it was important for me to come and have a frank and amicable discussion. I won’t say more, the discussion is ongoing,” said Xavier-Luc Duval’s son after the meeting. Adrien Duval indicated that discussions would continue and that the leaders would speak for themselves regarding the May 1st joint gathering.
Adrien Duval had a working session with the opposition leader, Xavier-Luc Duval, and the PMSD Secretary-General, Mahmad Kodabaccus. A screenshot of a conversation in a PMSD WhatsApp group suggested that the party leader had discussed with Adrien Duval before his public statement at the end of the week.
Meanwhile, the MMM’s Political Bureau met yesterday afternoon to review the political situation following the demands of the PMSD. Paul Bérenger told the members of the Political Bureau to wait for the outcome of the discussions between Adrien Duval and Navin Ramgoolam, indicating that the ball is now in the PMSD’s court to decide the fate of the PTr-MMM-PMSD alliance. The leader of the MMM will face the press this morning to comment on the latest developments in the negotiations surrounding the opposition alliance.
In the ranks of the MMM, it is made clear that the party does not intend to give any gifts to the Pravind Jugnauth government at this time, and there is certainly no intention to change political targets with the issue of the number of candidate nominations for the upcoming general elections.
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
