Every week brings its share of quakes in the opposition. While the relations between the two main opposition parties, the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) and the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM), seemed to have reached the point of no return, the recent move of the PMSD MPs in the government may change the deal (See inset).

Until Sunday, the MSM was asking for separate sitting arrangements in Parliament while the MMM was trying to appoint a new whip for the opposition. Last week was another occasion for the two party leaders to give each other a hard time. MMM leader, Paul Bérenger, openly said Pravind Jugnauth was selfish since he did not want to hold a joint May Day rally while the country needed the opposition to join forces to confront the present regime.

Pravind Jugnauth refused yet another criticism from the MMM leader. ?Bérenger should know what he has to do, the ball is in his court,? he declared. For the first time since the conflict between the two former partners began, Pravind Jugnauth questioned the legitimacy of Paul Bérenger as opposition leader.

Until then, and despite the fact that the MSM had more seats in Parliament than its partner (12 against 10), he had always maintained that he found no reason why Bérenger should leave his post. But the wind had turned. Pravind Jugnauth couldn?t stand the barbed comments of his partner any more and he wanted to show he is a leader worthy of respect.

Well, if Bérenger was not to remain in his post for a long time, then he?d better take advantage of the situation. This is exactly what he did ? with a bit of provocation maybe ? by announcing that he was writing to the speaker to ask that MSM Showkutally Soodhun be replaced by MMM Ajay Gunness as whip. In MMM circles, it is said the opposition leader could not work with a whip, who had decided to stand back from him.

Since the conflict over May Day and Bérenger?s insistence to present Ashock Jugnauth as the next prime minister ? to replace his nephew Pravind ? the relations between the two parties had not stopped deteriorating?

The conflict may have played in the government?s hands. In an interview to ?l?express?, Xavier Luc Duval stressed how ?the former government was constantly at each other?s throats?.</I>

In view of such a conflict, the government did not miss the opportunity to castigate the opposition. In an interview to l?express, Xavier-Luc Duval stressed how ?the former government was constantly at each other?s throats. Madan Dulloo, Labour and myself have been in the opposition for five years without ever having any problems. These three parties have been in the opposition for nine months and just look at the result. This is what makes the difference between us.?

Both opposition parties have insisted that they would do their job by harassing the government with their questions ? implying they would not let their differences of opinion prevent them from representing their electorate. The latest developments on the political scene may, however, have effects on how they sit and act in Parliament today!

The PMSD finally finds its way...

After sitting as independent members last week, the two MPs of Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate (PMSD) will be sitting on the government?s side today. After leaving the opposition and expressing the wish to join the government, they have been waiting for a few days after finally joining the social alliance. There has been much dilly-dallying over the past few weeks since there was some misunderstanding between the PMSD and the Parti Mauricien Xavier Duval (PMXD). The former wanted to join the government as a full-fledged partner while the latter made it clear that it would be invited to join only if it accepts a fusion with his party. Finally, the PMSD officially joins the government - there is no question of two more MPs joining the PMXD... At least for the moment. In Mauritian politics, one never really knows!

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