Those who have paid attention cannot have failed to notice the ever so imperceptible change on the political front. No more talks of the winning formula that has made many of us hold our breath, no more emphatic reassurances that all is well between the partners of the majority and no more flirting ? subtle or otherwise ? between the Labour party and the MSM. On the other hand, Prime Minister Bérenger, impossibly short tempered with members of the opposition since he took up office as Prime Minister, has dramatically mellowed down towards Ramgoolam. Others, like barrister Dulloo can still bring out the worst in the Prime Minister though.

This change in Bérenger?s attitude has resulted in Pravind Jugnauth retreating even further in his shell. The poor fellow probably feels confused and slightly perturbed with all those vibrations around him. He has only himself to blame for this; we know that Bérenger stopped mentioning his winning formula since Pravind Jugnauth was heard on a private radio saying that talks of the winning formula were premature.

It is clear that Ramgoolam is set on winning this time. He has expressed his hopes, together with Sir Anerood?s blessings that there might be an agreement between the Labour Party and the MSM. He has also said he was not willing to share his Primeministership with anyone. That does not leave Pravind with a lot of scope. If all he cares about is to be Prime Minister, that is. If not, if Jugnauth junior is willing to give a little bit and put aside his obsession with the prime ministerial seat, he might find out that there might be more for him to gain in terms of experience as the number two.

Paul Bérenger, on the other side, has not given up on his political career. One thing is sure, the man is not going anywhere. Still, he does not have much room for manoeuvre; he either bites his tongue and tries to be more tolerant with his deputy and invests his formidable energy in trying to prolong the association or he might decide that a demotion from number 1 to number 2 might not be such an unreasonable price to pay to be able to stay in the game. We know that regardless of what the man says, Bérenger is not totally immune to the charms of Ramgoolam. Had it been left to him, it?s with the labour party that the MMM would have gone to the general elections four years ago.

It so happens that such attraction might actually be unrequited. Ramgoolam doesn?t seem to have any love lost for the Prime Minister. Having said this, a change in the attitude of the Leader of the Opposition has also been noticed. Set on reconquering the reins of power, angered at Pravind?s rejection, the jilted Ramgoolam might indeed turn spiteful and woo Bérenger instead. It would serve him right, would be the general thought pattern.

All this dilly dallying should not surprise anyone. After all, we have seen it time and time again. Winning is what matters. Almost every politician is in the game for his own personal gain. Almost, I said. The country comes second best. And so the game of musical chair must go on. Forget about principles and forget about being accused of betrayal. Those considerations are of utter irrelevance. There is a simple reason for this ? the winner takes it all, the loser stands to fall?