While the partners of the Alliance sociale displayed serenity despite the uncertainties about the group led by former MSM minister, Anil Bachoo, and public opinion was preoccupied with how Ramgoolam was to cope with his list of 500 aspiring candidates for the forthcoming elections, a significant piece of information suddenly fell upon us. That prime minister Berenger said in a private meeting that he would not say no to a ?working arrangement? with the Labour party even after the elections.

The news came as no surprise as we have long been only too well aware of Paul Berenger?s soft spot for Ramgoolam (he wanted an alliance with Labour in 2000 and resisted the offer of the MSM until the last minute.) The timing also makes sense ? even if it strikes one as being slightly insensitive to the problems of his MSM partner, as the latter is going through the worst crisis since Pravind Jugnauth took over and has come out of it rather shaken. The significant piece of information was leaked to the press. Rumour has it that both Bérenger and Environment minister Rajesh Bhagwan were present at the meeting. Other sources say they had received instructions not to be ?too harsh to Navin Ramgoolam.? The instructions had purportedly come from the big man himself.

In the meantime, Pravind Jugnauth meets up with his close friends and decides to confront Bérenger. We learn that a meeting was held where Bérenger restated his commitment to the MMM-MSM coalition. A press conference was then convened a few days later to officially deny those rumours. An MMM activist tells us he doesn?t care what was said at the press conference, ?I received instructions from the boss.?

The tone, the actions and the mood within the majority speak of unease even though the discourse is altogether different and meant to reassure supporters.

Labour financial expert Rama Sithanen believes the rumour came from within the MMM as it is ?a well-known political tactic. When you know you?re weak, you spread rumours that you will join the strongest party and your supporters feel reassured?. The former Finance minister adds that he believes all parties will go to elections without making any change in their alliances. He takes care to add that ?a week is a long time in politics? A survey carried out by firm DCDM brings some clarification as to how the people would view an alliance between Labour and the MMM. Only 19% of the people would see such a situation in a good light. 43% would prefer the ruling alliance to go to elections together whereas 20% of people would not mind a Labour MSM coalition.

Ramgoolam has also responded to the rumours of negotiations between his party and Bérenger?s. The difference is that he chose to treat the matter as if it were a proposal made to him by Bérenger. ?Thanks, but no thanks,? he said. One remains, to use his old- time favourite expression, ?perplexed? that he did not deny the rumour, as he is known to have done in the past but instead publicly declined. Could it be that a proposal was indeed made?

The MMM is losing ground if the surveys are to be believed. It remains, according to Synthèses, the most popular political party but beats Labour by only two points. What comes out as well is a general trend that is not surprising. It is the fact that Hindus will vote for Ramgoolam and what is called the ?general population? will vote for Bérenger. Muslims, on the other hand are divided. What are called the ?minority groups? of the Hindu community, who are oddly enough not included in the wider definition of ?Hindus? feel more at ease with the ruling alliance.

At a nationwide congress last Sunday, the mood was one of victory. Ramgoolam talked on for over an hour. The speech was the same, the refusal to make public his programme but the tone has changed. Labour is confident.

In contrast, the tone, the actions and the mood within the majority speak of unease even though the discourse is altogether different and meant to reassure supporters. The MMM refused to comment Sunday?s survey while the MSM ? credited with a 10% by Synthèses and with a 7% score by DCDM ? thinks the results of Synthèses are not too bad while dismissing those of DCDM.

The game is not over though. It has only just begun. And we have many more entertaining weeks of lies, intrigues, arrogance, overconfidence and double talk to look forward to?