So the minister of Finance still thinks it?s legitimate for him to present a premature budget. Great. The contrary would have surprised us. He still insists the budget will not be an electoralist one. And to support his claim, he says he has done some research and that his research tells him early budgets have been presented before. He names Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo and Rundheersing Bheenick and then he claims that if those former Finance ministers have thought it right to present early budgets, then his stand must be legitimate.

Can you believe this? I have not heard one argument so far that would justify the early presentation of a budget. Not one. I am by no means an economist but I have common sense. As do the people. And I?m sure they also, don?t understand.

I am taking the risk of being branded intellectually limited but I need to understand. Would the minister of Finance be good enough to answer a few questions for the benefit of the people? Those questions are being asked here because the minister otherwise refuses to answer my questions. In a few months time, general elections will be held. There is a chance that a different party or alliance will come to power. Let?s assume that this is the case. A new government will be formed. This, by the way, is true even if it?s the same alliance that comes back to power; it will still be a new government. It beats me why an outgoing government would prepare and vote a budget? that it will not implement. What gives this government that legitimacy?

In case the same alliance comes back to power, their economic programme has to be approved by the people. So, how can they go ahead and vote a budget that will affect the people for an entire year without asking them what they think about this high handedness? My God, how in heaven?s name can one justify the voting of a budget just before general elections? I do not care if this has been done in the past, it is still wrong. And in any case, why the haste? If the ruling majority is so sure it is coming back to power, why not wait for the legitimacy that new elections would give them? Why keep the doors open so wide to warranted criticisms?

I put it the prime minister and his deputy that I believe their government really thinks the people of this country are fools. It also shows that they have no regard whatsoever for democracy. But as one of their people said to me: ?You may say what you want, legally they can?.

Of course. And let?s just leave it at that, why don?t we? It may be legal but it is not legitimate. And before the minister of Finance starts acting like a petulant child again and gives silly ultimatum to the opposition by challenging them to resign before the presentation of the budget, he will be well advised to start reflecting on the fundamental differences between right and wrong.