When the late Remake was not yet killed by the leader of the Opposition, the latter’s so-called bulldozer, Hon Bhagwanof divine nomenclature- used to declare at the meetings of the Remake that he would prefer to swallow the deadly poison- lazolthan ever to team up with the Labour Party of the Prime Minister. The attendees applauded and he was taken at his word. But the skeptics and some other persons who knew about the unreliability of the said Bhagwan purchased the poison as security. This was simply to prepare for the event that the said Bhagwan would side with the Labour Party as it is becoming increasingly evident from the body language and mouth gymnastics of the MMM leader. Their idea was to put Bhagwan to the test of being an honourable man. They knew that he would say that he would indeed swallow the poison except that he did not have it any more. This is why they have taken the assurance of holding on to the ‘lazol’. This is to show that the words of politicians generally are treated with utter contempt. Principles and ideologies have all emigrated and they have no intention of even coming for holidays. This is the state of Mauritian politics at the summit today.

The ordinary member of the public believes that the Prime Minister has given the task of ‘effacer ‘ all scandals which were the objects of PNQs to Berenger. The latter has gladly accepted to undo all the scandals and to treat as ‘cretins’ all those who would dare contradict him. Or is the Ptr-MMM alliance being driven by the public allegations of Jean-Mee Desveaux about the ‘mari Illovo deal’ and the mysterious 1/3 of the proceeds which, according to him, vanished.

What has been happening in recent weeks stinks and features the politicians in the worst possible lights. In no other country- except in this ‘plaisir ‘ country of ours- would one witness the Opposition courting the government so shamelessly. And what makes the stench so unbearable is that the Government is relishing it.

Never in the history of Mauritian politics have leaders fallen so low. Late Sir Gaetan Duval had many flaws but lacking in dignity was not one of them. Those who are in power must realize that they are only trustees and that any departure from the norms of good governance is known to at least a few people. The hangers on who at times are entrusted with sensitive missions to do what those in power cannot do or do not want to be associated with what is ordered become the targets of potential blackmail. The henchmen are the real power since what they know threatens even the apparently most powerful person.

Unfortunately loyalty does not count here and , as power shifts on the political front, the squealers have a field day. They exult in telling the new ‘partners’ all about their previous partners. From what the leader of the MSM has said the master at this game is the deputy leader of the MMM who acted like a pukka ‘Narad mouni”. This term is used in Indian mythology as someone who likes hearing and eavesdropping on everything and then goes and tell the person about whom things were said.

All this is disgraceful and demeans us all . Politics is the art and mission to do the best for one’s country. By any standards of what should be the case, Mauritius scores badly.