Enthusiasm and conviction. These words could qualify both Labour party leader, Navin Ramgoolam, and the 2500 delegates present for the 65th party congress at Octave-Wiéhe auditorium on Sunday. Since the December victory in the by-election in Rivière-du-Rempart, they have regained confidence in the future.

Navin Ramgoolam even spoke of early elections. Yet, nothing indicates such a possibility, especially as municipal elections have just been postponed. However, the Labour party leader seems really convinced that general elections will be held before the end of the year. But this could have been a bluff to boost the party activists.

The Labour party seems to have started its electoral campaign. ?The thrashing for general elections will very soon occur,? declared Navin Ramgoolam. Arvin Boolell, one of the major members of the party, spoke on the same lines. ?We are beyond electoral logic. We are already within the electoral campaign.?

During the congress, three amendments were voted. The executive committee will now be composed of 170 persons instead of 150 to make room for 20 women. There will be one woman among the three representatives to be elected by the regional committees of the 20 constituencies. Quite surprising then to see two women only, Sheila Bappoo and Indira Seebun, at the leader?s table. The post of deputy leader may also be restored.

<B>Ready to step in</B>

The labour and opposition leader could not do otherwise than criticize the government. The one to get rid of is, of course, the prime minister, Paul Bérenger. He is said to be responsible for all the country?s problems. The Labour party leader resumed his favourite theme: democratisation of the economy. He explained that the rich are becoming richer and the poor poorer. He also spoke of the high level of fraud and corruption as well as the deterioration of law and order.

Members of the social alliance were present and some even addressed the delegates. Hence, Xavier-Luc Duval, the leader of the Parti Mauricien Xavier Duval, thinks it is the ?end of the ordeal with a new government waiting to step in.? Rama Valayden, leader of the Mouvement Républicain, was warmly welcomed by the delegates and commented on the protests of the Chinese workers at Tropic Knits. Some allege that the police assaulted them when they came to their embassy to enquire into the circumstances of the death of one of their colleagues.

The mood was optimistic during this 65th congress. The leader was self-confident. However, he spoke to an already convinced public. What about the other voters?