For weeks, the media had been fed with ?pena narien? (there is nothing), meaning that all was well within the ruling alliance, the MSM and, above all, in the leaders? relations with Anil Bachoo. We finally learnt last week that ?pena narien? was a clear sign that there was indeed something big going on.

And it exploded. In whose face, we are unable to make out yet. Only time will tell. But it seems the MSM and MMM leaders were fed up with speculations about Bachoo?s moves. So they gave the minister an ultimatum: either resign or we sack you.

Anil Bachoo took the hint. He resigned, called a press conference and insisted that he did not resign under duress. Regardless of the fact that we all know that, had he not resigned, he would have been revoked. At his press conference, he told us that Pravind Jugnauth is out of touch with his electorate, a bad leader and that the MSM he joined eight years ago under the leadership of Sir Anerood Jugnauth has nothing to do with Pravind?s.

The story told by Anil Bachoo?s supporters within the MSM is not dissimilar. It seems that, by being associated with Paul Bérenger and letting the latter overpower him, Pravind Jugnauth has lost all credibility. The MSM having drawn its supporters from disillusioned Labour and MMM supporters, has a mainly Hindu-based electorate. Anil Bachoo and friends feel - and believe - the by-election in Piton-Rivière-du-Rempart proved them right, that if the ?Hindus? are lost, then the MSM is lost. A point of view not shared by Pravind Jugnauth and those who represent the MSM nowadays. ?The MSM is not a sectarian and extremist political party. Our motto is to unite in order to build,? says a Pravind supporter.

Another MSM MP Megduth Chumroo followed Anil Bachoo and resigned. We were led to believe that more resignations would follow; indeed, they have. MP Jhurry resigned as PPS yesterday with the veiled threat that there is yet more to come. It is a fact that Anil Bachoo has a following within the MSM. Labour?s reaction suggest that they are also aware of this fact. Despite the official stand at the Labour party that ?there are no negotiations at this time?, there are hopes that more dissidents will come out and validate their claim that ?the MSM is dying a slow death.?

The whole tone however changed in a matter of hours. In a press conference a few hours after Anil Bachoo?s, Pravind Jugnauth accused his former colleague of treason. Anil Bachoo was accused of lying and saying ?pena nanien? when he already had his agenda. And, of course, the party administration was ?unaware? of this agenda. Pravind Jugnauth refused to take any questions.

The next day, another press conference was held ? a joint one by Paul Bérenger and Pravind Jugnauth. The PM found nothing better than to say his former minister was ?intellectually limited? and that Bachoo?s departure was not a great loss. Reports, however, say that a few days before the latter?s resignation, Bérenger had promised him a ticket. So which is which? Or is it just a matter for ?intellectually limited? people to comprehend? Another minister has been appointed to replace Bachoo - an MMM replacing an MSM?

In any case, Bachoo?s departure seems to be haunting the leaders. At a function at Hindu House on Saturday, the PM had a slip of the tongue. He announced that Parliament would be dissolved on Mayday. We are still awaiting an announcement as to the correct date.

Maha Shivaratree - one of the most popular festivals of the Hindu calendar was an important date for Anil Bachoo. It is reported he wanted to wait until after the festival to resign. This was before the PM?s ultimatum. Maha Shivaratree is important for many reasons. There will be the unveiling of the 108-feet statue of Lord Shiva and the best opportunity to campaign in front of nearly 600,000 Mauritians of Hindu faith. But Bachoo did not have his way; instead it?s Pravind Jugnauth who will be presiding the task force set up for organizing Maha Shivaratree.

An opportunity to pass across the ruling alliance?s message that could however be lost because a group of Hindu organizations - including the Sanathan Dharma Temple Federations (managing some 240 temples nationwide) has made it known that they will not have any politician addressing devotees on that occasion because ?politicians will divide us.?

And so the electoral campaign has started. Labour?s strategy seems set to ?annihilate? the MSM. Some political observers think that there may even be some attempt to bring together the MMM and Labour. This however seems a bit far-fetched in the light of the Reds? anti-Bérenger campaign. But, as they say, never say never in politics?

<I>It is a fact that Anil Bachoo has a following within the MSM. Labour?s reaction suggest that it is also aware of this fact. </I>