Politicians usurped the true meaning of May Day a long time ago. Instead of being used to commemorate the social and economic achievements of the international labour movement, International Workers? Day is the opportunity for political parties to flex their muscles. These political rallies enable the parties to gauge their popularity. Yesterday was no exception with many of the country?s towns being taken hostage by politicians and their supporters.

The government alliance, comprised mainly of the Labour Party, attracted the biggest crowd, followed closely by the Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM). The Mouvement Socialiste Mauricien (MSM) was May Day?s main loser drawing a crowd only half as big as those of its rivals. This blow will be particularly painful given that the MSM has been very present on the ground over the past few months. In an interview in the Sunday press, MSM leader Pravind Jugnauth felt confident enough to assert that May Day would mark ?a new trend?.

MSM?s partner of old, the MMM, on the other hand, can boast of having mobilized a respectable amount of supporters. It will possibly prove to be a non-negligible source of solace for the party after the debacle of its split with the MSM. The governmental alliance has also done well for itself seeing that it prepared for May Day without any fanfare, except the local and Indian artists brought in for a cultural show.