Now that general elections are approaching, political parties have started their campaigning. This time, politicians and their activists are using different methods. Money is being lavished over private clubs, religious bodies and others by politicians of all boards. From private to public meetings, the latter are at it again, marketing either their party or just their own individual image.

It was once believed that no party could win a general election without taking on board another main party. But this is changing. The leader of the Labour Party (LP) is adamant that his party can win the elections without any alliance. So far only three main parties have recognition. This is because people are conservative. LP has traditionally been part of their contemporary lives. Similarly, the MMM and MSM have created an impact in people’s lives. So Navin Ramgoolam thinks his party is well-placed to match the MMM-MSM government.

Let us not misjudge Navin Ramgoolam’s analysis. He knows extensively the ground he has been exploring. His house-to-house night meetings in all constituencies, his private meetings with the various stakeholders with the indirect help of some frustrated government members are to his advantage as a leader of proximity. Dr Ramgoolam is in a good position to bargain but he has chosen not to do so due to his complacency and optimism about winning the elections.

Dr Ramgoolam has done his homework and keeps spelling it in his private and public meetings. He knows, for instance, that this government’s ruling mode is not up to public expectations. The economy is in a critical situation and the poverty gap is extending. Prices are rocketing high; the inflation rate will soon reach 6%; unemployment is escalating. Some old-age pensioners have been robbed of due recognition through the abolition of their pension. Corruption is high and most of our vulnerable institutions are affected. Our health service is gradually declining and there are not enough services for the adequate treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and renal failure. Factories are closing. Road accidents and suicides have become commonplace. Although the government is saying that there has been a 80% progress, many people believe such progress is just “bricks and mortar”.

Any political analyst can easily decode the message people are sending this government: they refuse a capitalist government, which supports capitalism and pays less attention to workers. Small planters, fishermen, taxi-drivers, labourers, teachers, civil servants, hawkers, factory workers have all encountered difficulties in the past four years. None have been spared. Come what may, if ever LP returns to power, it would be a government by default.

Would the MSM-MMM government survive another term in power ? The MSM was in danger of splitting; thanks to its indefatigable administrative secretary, Prakash Manthrooa, it is still in one piece and getting back its popularity in the rural areas.

The ruling alliance, as it stands today, can still maintain its value in the political hierarchy. To maintain its political values and popularity, both parties should get rid of some elected “heavy-weights”, who have soiled the alliance’s reputation. For example, those MPs who have had brushes with the law, even if there have been no court convictions, should not be considered for investiture because public perception has already condemned them. If the MSM-MMM alliance keeps harbouring such MPs, it may have to bear the consequences…