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No Room for Ramgoolam and Berenger

26 décembre 2014, 14:51

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The December 10th elections resulted in a series of setbacks, humiliation and lesson learning for the Ptr/MMM alliance in general and for its two leaders in particular with Ramgoolam losing his long held seat at No 5 and Berenger almost losing his equally long held seat at No 19.

 

The electorate expressed its views and desires in an unmistakably clear way -  it was not prepared to tolerate the kinds of domineering and arrogant behaviour, attitudes and ‘manieres de faire’ of these two leaders. It also did not agree with their version of a second republic or for sharing of power. This seems to be the common interpretation of most people and observers since the elections - except for the two leaders in question. 

 

At his press conference last friday and after having done an assessment of the situation, Ramgoolam seems at least to have openly accepted responsibility for the crushing defeat of his party, even though he did not go far enough in his admission and acknowledgment.  Berenger on the other hand, is still in defensive mode and seems to be completely out of touch with reality. In his view, Ramgoolam, with whom he was totally infatuated  over the last several months, has now become the villain again in his eyes, and he is straight back to his array of venomous accusations and insults.

 

To be sure, these two political leaders already have their place in the annals of Mauritian politics for their past accomplishments and we respect them for it. Many members of their respective parties continue to hold them in very high regard I’m sure. Ramgoolam and Berenger were relevant to the political life and history of Mauritius for several decades but the question is - are they now? Can they satisfy the expectations and demands of this and future generations?

 

Mauritius of 2015 and beyond is not at all the same of that of previous generations. We now have a larger base of educated and sophisticated citizens and naturally their wishes, sensibilities and expectations are different than in previous generations. We need political leaders who can be in tune with the contemporary electorate and their desires and aspirations. Are Ramgoolam and Berenger up to the task? So far, it does not appear so. 

 

It seems that an aspect of both these leaders that a large majority of Mauritians strongly dislike and resent and which was sanctioned in this election accordingly is their apparent belief that Mauritius belongs to them and that it is their right to be in power and to decide who gets what and can do what! They seem to believe that Mauritius cannot survive without them. These two leaders are still asserting this same belief over their respective parties today where Ramgoolam seems to think that the Labour Party belongs to him and the same with Berenger in regards to the MMM.

 

A case in point from the recent electoral campaign is that after working out the arithmetic between themselves, they decided that it was a full drawn conclusion that they would win the elections and that the Opposition would have absolutely no chance at all. They apparently did not even consider a plan B! What message does this send to the electorate? Clearly, that they (the 2 leaders) decide what is to be, the electorate is just a tool in their hands to manipulate as they wish and that they are the ones in control. 

 

Both Ramgoolam and Berenger’s style of leadership is one of domineering, autocratic, totalitarian, fear-based, superiority, condescending, favouritism, and the like. Such cannot be good for the country. This kind of political leadership and mindset has no place in Mauritius of 2014 and beyond and in this election, the electorate categorically rejected it.

 

Ramgoolam and Berenger’s leadership styles and ways of thinking can be rightly considered as ‘old school’, outdated and are antithetical to all internationally accepted contemporary views of leadership, which are more consensual and collegial in nature.

 

In reality, because of their leadership styles, Ramgoolam and Berenger have traumatized the Mauritian people and the country over many years and since april of this year in particular. In disrespectful ways, they have manipulated and played with the emotions and minds of the public with all the on/off roller coaster, fabricated lies and dirty tactics such as the manipulation of news reporting on the MBC all in the name of their personal interests and ambitions for power. They have abused their public offices by shutting down the government. They have not been honest with the electorate and refused to be accountable to anyone. These are serious ills that Ramgoolam and Berenger have inflicted upon our population and our country and they should be brought to account.

 

Under their regimes, average Mauritians have felt intimidated, afraid to assert themselves and voice their opinions in fear of reprimands and paybacks. The people have felt oppressed rather than liberated and free. Institutions have not operated as they should. 

 

The Mauritian people do not need or deserve this. Our social and public life cannot revolve around the cult personalities of two political leaders who have passed their prime. I think that most Mauritians sincerely wish that Ramgoolam and Berenger would both just go away. We’ve been traumatized enough with their circus-like government and Opposition.

 

Both the PTr and the MMM are in bad need of new blood, new mindset, new leadership styles and new vision if they wish to remain relevant in this decade and beyond. This ‘re-nouveau’ however, cannot come from their historic leaders or from their indoctrinated disciples of long date who are equally outdated. New blood comes from new people.

 

The Mauritian electorate has expressed itself - it desires a society based on common and fair sense, respect for all, where all citizens can feel free to express their views and opinions while respecting the rights of others to disagree. The Mauritian electorate also desires a society based on true meritocracy, social harmony and peace and not one based on communalist divisions, religious-based interests or an oppressive, dictatorial type of government. It has made it clear that it will not tolerate misplaced arrogance, disrespect for the electorate and any form of dictatorial type of governing.

 

Ramgoolam and Berenger, while having played historical roles in our country, cannot however, deliver this kind of society that Mauritians of 2014 and beyond desire. These leaders need to humbly recognize this fact and make a graceful exit from active politics hence making room for new generations of leaders to emerge and assume responsibilities.

 

In my opinion, MSM/PMSD/ML will prove to be a stable, responsible government for the next several years that will move the country in the right direction. It is a timely transition. From there on, time will tell who or which parties will take the reigns in order to continue our country’s progress and development. Why would we need Ramgoolam and Berenger in 2019 when they will be in their 70s when we already have several competent and capable leaders now in place in their 40s and 50s who are well able to lead our country?

 

We, the electorate, can be proud of ourselves for having voted these two out-of-touch parties out of power and avoiding letting our country go the way of a banana republic. We have shown that we value a functioning democracy and that we understand our civic roles.

 

Mauritius has a bright future and we Mauritians should increasingly believe that this country belongs equally to all of us and it is us who decide who we want in power to lead our country. And those who we put in positions of power and responsibility need to increasingly recognize that it is a privilege and not an entitlement to be in such position and that that they are always accountable to those who placed them there. We need to always reject anyone or anything that attempts to threatens this fundamental reality. This election demonstrated that the electorate is indeed king.

 

A previous article of mine ‘Setbacks, Humiliation and Lesson Learning” was published in Lexpress : Setbacks, Humiliation and Lesson Learning