Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Gaël Rangain
Published on 2024-02-21 03:00:53
The functions of the President of the Flacq District Council are not only boycotted, but the main person himself is under pressure with the MRA on his heels
Navin Ramgoolam is attempting a breakthrough in the No. 10 constituency by increasing his contacts and presence on the ground. The MSM’s strategy to regain power from No. 4 to No. 14 is being put to the test, especially with the situation prevailing in the East, particularly in Flacq/Bon-Accueil (No. 9) and Montagne-Blanche/Grande-Rivière-Sud-Est (No. 10). This is not only due to Vikram Hurdoyal’s sudden resignation from the National Assembly after being revoked as Minister of Agro-Industry in Pravind Jugnauth’s government, but also because of the difficult, if not impossible, cohabitation between elected officials of the ruling party and the Flacq District Council since the end of last year – which saw the election of Chandra Dev Bundhoo, also known as Vicky, as President.
Meanwhile, with the upcoming general elections just around the corner, Ministers Deepak Balgobin and Sudheer Maudhoo, as well as the Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) Vikash Nuckcheddy from No. 9 (Flacq/Bon Accueil), and Minister Sunil Bholah from No. 10 (Montagne-Blanche/Grande-Rivière-Sud-Est) are making every effort to make a strong impact on the ground. On the other hand, the Labour Party is attempting to reclaim No. 10, with the party leader and former Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam potentially making a second appearance for the upcoming elections.
Since December 2023, the MSM’s elected officials in the East have found themselves in a conflicting situation with the Flacq District Council, resulting in the downfall of Kishore Jeewooth, Vikram Hurdoyal’s favorite, as Chairperson. Things have not been resolved since the installation of Vicky Bundhoo as President on December 29, with district councilors who voted for him, against the MSM’s choice, claiming to be experiencing persecution and pressure.
Since the beginning of the year, the relationship between the government and the District Council seems to be strained. The latest episode was last Friday during an official function honoring athletes from Flacq, where 18 in total, who excelled at the recent Indian Ocean Island Games held in Madagascar.
The government officials from constituencies No. 9 and No. 10 were invited, but none from the MSM responded except for the Deputy Speaker, Muvman Liberater’s representative Zahid Nazurally. This absence of MSM officials is a clear indication of the relationship between the MSM and the district council leadership. In the meantime, pressure and persecution against District Councilors are increasing. Chairperson Vicky Bundhoo is reportedly being targeted by the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) in a tax investigation of his business and finances, among other things.
Furthermore, a councilor sitting on the district council has filed a Precautionary Measure with the police, claiming to have learned of reprisals against her and a possible police raid on her home. She has been under scrutiny for some time, with the nursery school she manages being subjected to recent inspections.
On the ground, the MSM, in an effort to turn the tide, organized a grand regional event in No. 9 last week in the presence of the Prime Minister and party leader Pravind Jugnauth, as well as a regional committee in No. 10 at MKS Hall in Caroline at No. 10, where the resignation of Parliament by Vikram Hurdoyal was ignored. At the end of his term, Minister Sunil Bholah finds himself alone in this constituency, with the other government official coming from the Muvman Liberater camp.
On the other hand, the Labour Party is closely monitoring the situation, especially after the defection by Vikram Hurdoyal, who in his political past was very close to the Labour Party, especially to former Minister Anil Bachoo. The Reds aim to gain significant political capital among pro-Hurdoyal supporters who feel betrayed by the MSM after his vague dismissal.
Informed sources within the Labour Party suggest that the former Prime Minister could make a second appearance in No. 10 for the upcoming elections after the defeat suffered in 2019, losing to Hurdoyal by 5716 votes. In recent weeks, Navin Ramgoolam has reportedly increased his contacts with Labour’s base in this Eastern constituency, including his key agents.
The leader of the Labour Party is also increasingly seen in No. 10 to participate in socio-cultural events, as well as private events with influential families and notables in the East. After considering a return to No. 5 (Pamplemousses/Triolet), he is said to have reconsidered, especially considering the changes in the boundaries of this constituency once electoral redistricting is activated upon the dissolution of Parliament. Although it is denied that there has been no rapprochement between Navin Ramgoolam and Vikram Hurdoyal, it is difficult to see a support from the former’s supporters to the MSM, in favor of the Labour Party. These political tremors already seem to be destabilizing the strategy from No. 4 to No. 14.
To be continued…
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
