Emmanuel Anquetil, Guy Rozemont, Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Seeneevassen , Razack Mohamed and many others must be turning in their graves. The shameful turn of events of the past few days must have left them wondering what happened to the Labour Party they believed in. As everything seems to fall in shambles, they must agree on one thing – this is not the doing of their rightful followers. This is the doing of one man, who put himself, his greed, his perversion and arrogance before his people and his country. A man who never measured the responsibility of power.

The Labour Party does not belong to any one person but to all those who believe and practise the values it stands for. Born out of a deep social movement intended to ward off and fight injustice, not within a single community, but throughout the very fabric of Mauritian society – no individual or community, leave alone caste, can claim its sole patronage. These same values allowed the party to secure independence without bloodshed and undertake nation building with steadfast determination, against all odds. Sacrifice, hard work and thirst for education saw the emergence of a proud nation of Mauritians.

To all its supporters, the Labour Party is larger than life and commands respect. These supporters have been orphaned – not since December 2014, but well before, when the writings of shady influences started appearing on the wall – they read, cronyism, arrogance and selfishness. The cherry on the icing was the incomprehensible alliance with the MMM in the back of the party and the consequential auction of the Labour Party to the highest bidder for the sake of a post of president. The second republic project was the overkill. One may be tempted to surmise that losing the elections was the lesser of the evils in such a conjuncture.

GRACEFUL EXIT

History is repeating itself. The Labour Party celebrates its 80th anniversary next year. It has gone through various cycles of change throughout the years. Its supporters should not be disheartened by its present state as in the 1980’s, a similar situation arose. When Seewoosagur Ramgoolam accepted  to go to the Reduit and end his days as a governor in an MSM led government, nobody  was particularly keen to take on  the leadership of what remained of the party – which notoriously was thrust in the “poubelle” of history. Posterity will retain the graceful exit of Satcam Boolell from leadership, once the party was steered back on track. It stands to reason that the time has now come for Navin Ramgoolam to step down and concede his disqualification to remain as leader of the party.

Leadership is first of all about acceptability – a national leader can only emerge out of the trust and confidence he inspires in the country at large. Such a leader must however pass the first litmus test of eligibility –  first and foremost by being a model in his behaviour, both public and private. Arvin Boolell has over the years proved his mettle as a politician and statesman. For all these supporters who are still there – yearning to be reunited with the true values of their beloved party, he should accede to leadership.