L’ambivalence de Rama Sithanen
Au moment où j’écris ces mots, Rama Sithanen passe sur les ondes de Radio Plus. Il est interviewé en long et en large par Nawaz Noorbux depuis 17h. Et il était également sur Radio One pour une interview ‘exclusive’ avec Rabin Bhujun.
La posture de Sithanen me paraît assez bizarre car empreinte d’une ambivalence profonde. Il exprime son amertume par rapport au traitement qu’il a subi de la part du PM mais en même temps, il semble vouloir garder les options ouvertes auprès du PM (le PM lui a fait des propositions mais il ne veut pas dire lesquelles si ce n’est que ce n’est pas celle d’être conseiller économique). Du coup, il se démène pour mettre tout le blâme sur le MSM mais il n’arrive pas à contenir son agacement contre le PM. Il utilise des termes forts: ingratitude, cruauté, injustice, impensable, inimaginable, inacceptable, inhumain, dominère… Il verse tantot dans le rationnel quand il explique sa politique économique, tantôt dans l’émotionnel quand il parle de la trahison, de ses sentiments à lui.
Son leitmotiv est: il faut que les membres du gouvernement (et à fortiori le PM) cessent de tirer à eux la couverture quand il s’agit de vanter le bilan économique 2005-2010 et de le fustiger, LUI, Rama Sithanen, pour sa politique économique. En même temps, il est lui-même porteur de cette contradiction quand il souligne le fait que les décisions sur l’économie ont été prises avec le cabinet ministériel et le PM (surtout les moins populaires) tout en se réappropriant SA réforme, SON bilan, SES décisions (surtout celles qui font l’objet d’éloges).
Fidèle à lui-même, il fait usage de ses expressions favorites: “li bon ki dimoun koné”, “mo bizin dir ou”, “encore ène fois”… avec une montée dans les aigus si caractéristique de sa communication. Il use souvent de la périphrase en parlant de lui-même à la troisième personne. C’est une fâcheuse manie chez nos politiciens qui essaient ainsi de se faire plus emphatiques. Pour moi, c’est plutôt de l’ostentation déplacée.
Si la communication des politiques a certes évolué, elle n’en est pas moins empreinte d’une simplisme décevant. Et Sithanen n’échappe pas à cela malgré son intelligence tantôt célébrée tantôt décriée. La dignité ne fait pas partie de la panoplie du parfait politicien sauce locale. C’est une réédition du feuilleton ‘Je me promène avec ma lettre de démission dans la poche pour faire pression sur mon maître mais je me raccrocherai à l’ourlet de son pantalon même si je ne dois en récolter que des miettes’.
Let’s face it. Sithanen is out of elections coz MSM criticized his actions for 5 years and had not digested his tranfer to PTR in the past, but also, because Navin thinks he’s more unpopular than popular If Navin just discovers how many people think sithanen is an essential element for PTR economic strategy, he may well re-integrate him.
It’s politics, there are very few personal things in it!!
Harish Boodhoo declare dans une interview au journal Week-End de dimanche dernier dit :
« Le MSM doit être au courant de quelque chose qui force Navin Ramgoolam à cette “générosité” électorale…
Je suis persuadé que cette alliance a été imposée à Ramgoolam par les Jugnauth. »
Je pense que les journalistes mauriciens n’ont pas accorde assez d’importance a ces propos. Ils devraient fouiller un peu plus et faire ce qu’on appelle “some investigative journalism”. On dit qu’il n’y a pas de fumee sans feu !!!
The pact between Navin and Pravind will not last if elected in the forthcoming election.There will be infighting between them to gain political power.Time will time.
Sithanen keeps complaining that he has been betrayed by the P.M. in spite of services rendered.He seems to forget the saying:YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.A brief historical survey will help.
He took his first steps in politics in 1982 when he was an active member of the Economic Commission of the MMM.But he was reluctant to come to the forefront because of his so-called professional obligations.The real reason was that he knew that the MMM. in 1983 and 1987, stood no chance of coming to power.BETRAYAL? Then, in 1991, the MSM offered him a safe seat in No 18 on ethnic grounds.He gladly accepted and became Minister of Finance until 1995.In the year 2000,thinking that the MSM was doomed, he jumped on the Labour Party wagon.(The guy who boasts ad nauseam of his intelligence had simply wrongly assessed the situation:MMM and MSM came to an agreement at the eleventh hour).The opportunist has betrayed again! And now he is pretending that he is a die-hard labourite, much to the dismay of genuine labourites.He pretends that by sacking him the PM is setting a bad example to youngsters who toil and moil to cut a good figure in life. But is this guy an example to be followed???
My opinion is that, because he betrayed Jugnauth senior in 2000, one of the clauses of the agreement between the Labour Party and the MSM was that Sithanen was to be sacrificed.
What I find somewhat disturbing is that Sithanen is still a member of the Labour party. What is he waiting for to resign if he feels he has been victimised?
monsieur Sitanen,pas garde l’espoir lors sa premier ministre la. Li pas ene dimoune de parole.Avec tous qui ine passe avec Aneerood,mo croire
zotte envi garde pouvoir dans zotte lamain. Li chagrinant.Mo pense si li ti envi mette ou dehors li ti bien capave faire sa bien avant.Mais enant ene bon dieu pou juge ca.Ici meme paradis ici meme l’enfers.
I feel sorry for this man. Not because of what has happened to him but from his petty behaviour. The guy is trying to attract sympathy from people by projecting an image to give the opinion that he has been victimised.
Glad to see that we are going back in time to show the true colours of someone who is claiming that he is the mastermind of the economic success of Mauritius. Couple of questions that come to mind! ! ! Is it not difficult to believe that the economic resilience of the country is the baby of a single person? How about the advisors. civil servants, other cabinet members, ladyluck being on our side since Mauritius has got a natural hedge whereby we mainly import in US Dollars while bulk of exports are in Euros which played to our advantage? Amazingly ive never seen a comment like my team or colleagues. Well actually it makes sense that such comment would never come up when you read the trackrecord from 1982 onwards.
Anyway Sithanen was always going to get the boot. Can we expect a mature/intellectual person who is well respected by foreign counterparties to act as a spoilt child (remember ive got a letter in my pocket)? Actually yes we can. . . and it came from you know whom.
And do us all a favour please . . . the story of mo ene zenfant misere mo ti p vend gato piment, pa ti ena savatte is an old tune now. . . Back in those days im sure that most of our now successful and respected Mauritian brains were faced with the same situation but i hardly see them grabbing every opportunity to attract sympathy.
Showtime is over now . . . Move on. . . Make space
@beekuldass Mo pas comprend kifer li pencore demissioné. Ki li pé espéré koum sa?
@Shak You’re right about him trying to attract sympathy. Looks a bit pathetic now.
Moi mo ena ene theorie lors sa l’alliance L’avenir la moi.
Voilà:
Nous tout konné ki sa pou surement dernier mandat RAMGOOLAM. Li pou bizin ene remplaçant! Pas kav laisse pouvoir sape depis dans la main Majoritaire! Donc li bizin ene VAISH kama li pou kav pran so place!
Sel dimoune ki fit, c PRAVIND JUGNAUTH ki ene VAISH osi, car pas kav ni PAUL, ni XAVIER, ni SITHANEN, ni BEEBEJAUN ou même ARVIN BOOLELL ki ene maraz.
Enfin c’est juste mo point de vue. Kikaine partage mo l’avis?
Je viens de lire l’article de ID L’express et je me sui tout de suite empressé de venir donner mon opinion et contribuer a developer la culture du blog….Dans le cas de Sithanen il était évident pour moi depuis pas mal de temps qu’en cas d’alliance entre le MSM et le Ptr Sithanen ne serait plus minstre des finances, vous n’avez qu’a vous referer a toutes les conférence de presse qu’a tenu pravind depuis son élection a la derniere partielle, il ne faisait qu’attaquer Rama Sithanen sur tous les fronts. Mais je n’aurais jamais pensé qu’il n’aurait pas d’investiture pour la générale. Maintenant qu’il ne démissionne pas de son parti il y a peut-être une logique dans le sens que s’il démissionne cela donnera l’impression que c’est lui qui s’en va de guerre lasse alors que s’il se faisait révoquer cela accentuera l’impression qu’il a vraiment été trahi.
Au sujet de cette alliance conclu en six jours je pense personnellement que la seule chose qui ait forcé Navin a la conclure c’était pour éviter que ce ne soit une nouvelle alliance entre le MMM et le MSM et que cela a contribuer au nombre de tickets offert a son junior Partner, bien sur cela démontre également a quel point il était acculé et désespéré car quand on est fort comme il le disait on va aux élections seules ou a nos conditions personne n’a le droit de s’imposer. Je pense qu’il n’y a pas d’autre anguille sous roche a ce niveau la…
Salut. Ci-dessous un extrait d’un article que j’ai envoyé aux pages Forum du Mauricien et de l’express :
“Ceux qui se sentent épris d’un sentiment de frustration par la non sélection du Docteur Sithanen dans la course à la députation, « la plus grande trahison de l’Histoire politique » dixit le principal concerné, vous êtes-vous posé les bonnes questions ? Pravind Jugnauth a toujours critiqué avec force la politique économique et fiscale de Rama Sithanen arguant que ce dernier donnait trop aux riches et pas assez aux pauvres. Il est même descendu dans les rues de la capitale pour manifester contre la suppression des subsides pour les examens de SC et de HSC, mesure injuste imposée par le Grand Argentier du gouvernement sortant. Comment croyez-vous que Pravind Jugnauth allait pouvoir s’entendre avec quelqu’un qu’il a aussi souvent descendu ? C’est clair que dans les tractations d’alliance, Rama Sithanen devait ‘lev so paké allé’ pour faire la place au leader du MSM. Donc, il n’y a pas lieu de s’offusquer outre mesure. Cela faisait partie du ‘deal’.”…
Sithanen, un sur-professionnel, qui peut toucher des fortunes dans le secteur privé et qui à lui seul peut changer la politique d’une entreprise, pourquoi persiste-t-il à vouloir poursuivre sa carrière politique ? Il est encore jeune. Il peut se retirer, observer la situation de l’extérieur et faire son come-back au moment opportun. Pour moi, il devrait démissionner.
Bonne continuation.
Why would Mr Ramgoolam not be upfront with the public and disclose the true reason(s) for outcasting, his friend Mr Sithanen. Does he believe that Mauritians are not mature enough to understand his action. It is up to Navin, as a leader to sack the man (Rama) from his party, if he has the guts.
Je pense que vous avez tous raison
Navin Ramgoolam a besoin d’un héritier. Sithanen n’est ni un ange ni un démon. Et il y a plein de choses que ceux d’en haut ne nous disent pas. Comme d’habitude.
Interesting. I believe he shall remain pro-PTR so that he can be appointed as the director of the Bank of Mauritius.
Nous tous d’accord ki Sithanen tres intelligent et ine bien faire so travail. Mais, eski line bien faire kan line critique le MSM quand l’alliance ti fini fer?? Et li p koz loyauter, b line bliyer kan li ti donne lettre demission kan Navin pas ti au pays? Zot croire Navin ine bliyer sa episode la facilement? Alors c bien ene ‘tit for tat’… Personne n’est indispensable…
Mo gagn riyer kan Mr.Vishnu Lutchmeenaraidoo compare Mr.Paul Berenger avec President Obama… Sa montrer a quel point zot pena argument…
Eski zot ine deja trouve Obama vine dire devant ene la foule:
‘CNN is a sucker’…??? Non, jamais!!
Mais Berenger line dire…
‘MBC la soucere mem….’
SORRY POU L’EXPRESSION…but facts are facts!
Bonsoir,
je viens de voir ce blog sur le site lexpress.mu. Bonne initiative! Continuez!
Concernant Rama Sithanen, effectivement, la raison est toute simple : les transfuges paient tot ou tard leur trahison! Il ne pouvait pas avoir de place pour lui dans une alliance Jugnauth/Ramgoolam.
La 2eme raison est que Ramgoolam va continuer à appliquer la democratisation de l’economie. Pour ce faire, il n’a pas besoin d’un technicien mais bien d’un politique.
S’il avait un peu de dignité, il aurait demissionné!
Comme tu dis Avi, il n’est ni un ange ni un démon. L’ennui c’est que les politiciens veulent justement nous faire croire l’une ou l’autre version selon ce qui leur convient à un moment donné meme si leur posture peut radicalement changer du jour au lendemain. Le problème Sithanen vire au pathétique car il n’a plus de positionnement ferme dans un camp spécifique car il n’arrive pas à prendre une décision. Il s’offre en pature aux deux blocs. C”est la victime sacrificielle par excellence.
Aussi, c’est vrai qu’il il y a plein de choses que ceux d’en haut ne nous disent pas. La lettre de l’Océan Indien nous dit que 4 familles sont divisées pour les élections. Pour combien de temps peut-on etre divisé dans une famille? Un jour ou l’autre on se réconcilie. Et on est bien obligé de se voir pour les événements familiaux. C’est assez emblématique de la classe politique dominante en général avec des degrés divers: en surface, ils sont adversaires, mais en-dessous, ils sont tous des camarades.
Et le peuple ne peut que subir cet incessant manège sans meme savoir réellement ce qui se trame derrière les rideaux.
sithanen cest un cas tres complique… au debut il fustige et ramggolam et le msm et apres une reunion avec le cher pm il sen prend seulement au msm mais biensur en laissant paraitre une certaine frustration envers son leader. je trouve cela tres interessant. est ce que ramgoolam a decouvert une verite derangeante sur sithanene qui le force a attenuer ses plaintes ou la t il propose quelquechose commme compromis. dailleurs dan le milieu politique plusieurs theories pointent du nez..dont une parlant du fait que sithanene a ete pris a son propre jeu.. ou plutot..tel est pris qui croyait prendre .
Christina,
Que pensez vous de la couverture de l’affaire Sithanen dans l’express?
This is an interesting piece of analysis from Lalit’s Website(lalitmauritius.org)on Sithanen episodes.
Campaign Notes: Finance Minister Sithanen ousted before elections
Finance Minister Rama Sithanen has finally not been given a Constituency in which to stand for the 5 May General Elections, after a long drawn out series of episodes that resembled a bad TV-serial. He has been well nigh in tears on various radio stations, showing himself to be a sentimental technocrat; “sentimental” because he is so surprised that his “friend”, the out-going Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam has stabbed him in the back, and “technocrat” because he is the architypal IMF-World Bank type macro-economic manager of figures. To him economics is truly devoid of people. People only come in afterwards as rather patronizing “poverty alleviation” programs. His ousting is not a surprise at all. LALIT predicted it long ago. His very real economic policies, that are quite rightly unpopular, are in stark contrast to the Labour Party’s radical economic discourse, in particular its discourse on “democratizing the economy”. And since elections involve discourse, the Finance Minister must therefore be seen by the electorate to be being punished for his very real economic policies, thus freeing the discourse from accusations of it being “just words”. Even though the policies were those of the whole Government.
There were already all the concrete signs and indelible signals of his future dismissal. Rama Sithanen was responsible for depreciating the rupee some 24% in one year (a disguised devaluation), thus impoverishing an already poor working class in a country where everything you need is imported. And when Rundeersing Bheenick was being brought in as the Governor of the Central Bank of Mauritius, a Governor who would in fact halt the depreciation, the Minister of Finance threatened to resign. In fact he had said his letter of resignation was “in his pocket”, you will recall. He said he wasn’t getting solidarity from other members of the Cabinet for his economic reforms. Anyway, he did not resign. More recently, his main advisor, Ally Mansoor, an even more technocratic economist, during a conflict with the civil service trade unions, was roundly disowned by the Prime Minister, just before the dissolution of the National Assembly. Another clear sign of what was to come.
What is true is that Labour Party leader and out-going Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam has cruelly gone on and on until almost the eve of Nomination Day, giving Rama Sithanen hope that he will be given both a candidature and be fifth in the hierarchy of a future Government, if the Labour Party Alliance wins.
This was reminiscent of Navin Ramgoolam’s drawing out the MMM’s hope, just before he would dissolve Parliament, of an Alliance with Labour. This went on for three months of negotiations in a previous long series of episodes just like a TV-serial, but which it now seems was quite cruelly premeditated by him.
Avi n Christina well done for this initiative…
Was trying to start something similar but not easy to maintain it being far from the country. All the best with the blog..
As far as this whole Sithanen-Ramgoolam-Jugnauth episode is concerned, we again see the immaturity of our politicians. Its like those never ending serials. ‘Amour, Gloire et Beaute’ a la mauricienne avec la trahison, mensonges entre autres…
And the media’s role in all this? Think its high time for the Mauritian media to come to educate the population, come up with better stories, more in depth analysis, than just reporting whatever Berenger, Navin or Jugnauth said in their ‘Meeting’.
We are all tired of these alliances. When are they going to wake up and realize its another generation now. N seriously wat is Sithanen waiting for to resign from the LP. At least he should have some self respect.
Une question me taraude a propos des critiques ou eloges fait a l’encontre de R.Sithanen concernant les decisions economiques prises par le precedent gouvernement:
Toutes ces decisions, sont-elles le fait d’un seul homme ou d’une equipe?
Je suis probablement naif, mais j’imagine mal Sithanen ou quiconque d’autre venir au conseil des ministres et venir dire: Au fait, au prochain budget j’annule toutes les subventions et subsides , et ce, sans que le 1er ministre et le conseil des ministres n’approuvent.
Ce serait tellement pratique pour l’alliance de l’avenir si Sithanen demissionait. Toutes les critiques irait vers lui, toutes les eloges irait a Ramgoolam. Et le plus incroyable, c’est que le peuple pourrait facilement separer les 2 selon la situation. Peuple admirable me semble t-il.
Bonne continuation Avi.
@webmaster: During these days preceding elections I propose that a forum page be set as a citizen watchdog to guard against politicians “dérives de languages”. We can hence comment and/or condemn communal, casteism, sexism …etc languages.
@Yan Naturally, Sithanen was one important cog in a very complex machine. As far as I know, a lot of different people were involved in the decision process.
@Lone Wolf Nice idea. I’ll write a post (or someone who is willing will write such a post) on the “dérives de langage.”
@Lone Wolf…
http://www.amnestymauritius.org/french/articles.php?cat_id=3
Navin has made it clear that he’s a chess player and so his moves are calculated, based on the theory of games, which is fair, considering he’s a leader and a politician. Sithanen is not the sacrificial lamb as he likes to project himself. His rhetoric is pathetic. He’s been around and knows that politics is indeed all about ‘amour, gloire et beaute’. He said on radio that he had been made several offers from different quarters, which is evidence enough that his loyalty to the labour party (…) is but an eyewash. His problem is that there’s nobody to take his letter of resignation, not even if he sends it by express… delivery.
@Vishesh You’re right. Sithanen is not really a victim. He’s still the Minister of Finance and member of the Labour Party. Who knows what promises have been made…
In politics is one must ‘EXPECT FOR THE UNEXPECTED’ and ‘NEVER SAY NEVER’
Rama’s situation reminds me of an old hindi song of Mukesh singing for Raj Kapoor in ANARI, which follows…
SAAB KUCH SIKHA HUMNE NA SIKHI HOSHIYARI
YE SATCH HEIN DUNYA WALON KE HUM HEIN ANARI
I do think that Navin is playing his CHESS. The Rama’s move was one which was dificult for him but surely useful. Many complain for the Rama’ move. But by the end of the campaign ….ALL SHALL COMPLY with NAVIN, even Rama
@Satyam Can you please tell us what the lyrics say?
@ Clara
Question pertinente… Vous voulez surtout parler de L’express-dimanche je suppose? Car il faut distinguer les rédactions du quotidien L’express et de l’hebdomadaire. Meme à l’intérieur de ces rédactions, il y a des sous-rédactions et des individus différents avec des opinions et des approches journalistiques pas nécessairement homogènes.
Ceci dit, il est évident que les éditorialistes de L’express-dimanche ont toujours exprimé ouvertement leur accord avec la stratégie économique de Rama Sithanen. Il est donc naturel pour eux de voler au secours du Ministre des Finances (oui, il l’est encore) quitte à exprimer une certaine amertume dans leurs éditoriaux sur le déroulement de ces événements qui leur échappe.
La strategie de Rama Sithanen est limpide voyons!!!!!! Je suis surpris que beaucoup ne comprenne pas les enjeux.
La force de Sithanen, c’est d’être le martyre de la méritocracie. En ne démissionnant pas, et en attendant qu’on l’expulse, il met Navin Ramgoolam en situation extrêmement délicate. Navin Ramgoolam ne peut convoquer aucun conseil des ministres avec Sithanen encore aux finances. Sithanen a le loisir de critiquer Navin Ramgoolam sans que celui ci ne puisse le revoquer.
C’est une situation de stalemate comme aux echecs. Si Sithanen démissionne, il perd son nuissance value. Si Ramgoolam le révoque, il passe pour le bourreau qui regarde son intérêt personnel (et sa survie politique, si on croit D.E.V) avant les compétences et la loyauté.
Ce que beaucoup d’entre vous ignorent, c’est que les agents de Sithanen travaillent maintenant pour l’Alliance du Coeur au no 18, sans que Ramgoolam ne puisse faire quoique ce soit, et même rappeler Sithanen à l’ordre! Ne vous détrompez pas, il ne cherche pas un bout au PTr. Il est en train de faire le jeu du MMM, parcequ’il est sérieusement en train de nuire à l’Alliance de l’Avenir dans certaines circonscriptions comme les no 8,13,18 et 19.
SAAB KUCH SIKHA HUMNE NA SIKHI HOSHIYARI
YE SATCH HEIN DUNYA WALON KE HUM HEIN ANARI
I have learnt everything but cunningness (trickestry)
O, people, I am indeed a naive
(from youtube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxUdjlkClkY)
Thanks @Nadim
Did you receive my previous comment on this post? Anyway I retype it …
Le jeu de Sithanen est tres claire: il attire la sympathie et passe pour un martyr de la meritocracie. La seule facon de le faire c’est de ne pas demissioner et pousser le PTr a le revoquer. Cette situation ambigue est a son avantage, et il peu meme se permettre d’attaque le PM a distance tout en restant minister et sans avoir peu de repressailles … jusqu’au 5 mai soir.
C’est comme un jeu d’echer: on a eu droit a un stalemate. Navin ne peut le revoquer meme si Sithanen le nuit politiquement. Sithanen ne peut demissioner s’il veut conserver son nuissance value. Chapeau a Sithanen pour avoir adopter la meilleur strategie politique a sa disposition.
Je fini mon commentaire en vous annoncant que beaucoup d’agents de Sithanen roulent pour le MMM au no 18
ce n’est pas une surprise.
@Bruno You’re right about Sithanen’s strategy. But there is something I still don’t understand: in case Navin wins, he is going to make Sithanen pay during (at least) five years. Do you really think Sithanen can afford that?
@Avinash
Je ne crois pas que Sithanen ait a affronte quelque retribution de Navin … en general, les politiciens ne s’attaquent pas entre eux. Ils attaquent plutot la presse, les lecturers, les cadres de parapublic, les PMEs …
@Bruno Et pourquoi Sithanen a été évincé de la liste des candidats, d’après toi?
@Avinash
Simple deal electoraliste. Rabin Bhujun l’a bien explique. La raison n’est pas politique, ni logique. C’est a cause de craintes de Navin Ramgoolam malgre sa recente position de force, qui n’etait pas si forte que ca. Ce n’est qu’un deal politique pour, supposement, l’empecher de tomber dans carro cannes. Sithanen n’est qu’un colateral de ce deal.
Bon pour saki ki paress clik lor sak link:
1 Navin ti peur perdi election
2 So crainte ti justifier a coz different rapports ti pe dir ki so position pas ti ca fort la pour plusieurs raison
3 Li ti ena choix entre MMM ek MSM. Li finn choisir MSM ek Sithanen enn colateral dans enn deal ek MSM.
Am tired of politicians telling us WHAT WE SHOULD DO and WHAT WE SHOULD NOT DO? TO WHOM WE SHOULD GIVE OUR VOTES AND TO WHOM NOT? Voting is our constitutional right and I believe no one have the right to tell us whom to vote! I feel it is an insult to our intelligence (if our population has!). It feels as if they think we are not capable of making decisions by ourselves. And am also tired of politicians criticizing each other throughout the day. I would say that this is a sing of immaturity. Don’t they have anything more interesting to say: like their illuminating projects for the country, how they would achieve it, in how much time and how it will benefit the country and its population! And why no party has anything to say to reform the politics of Mauritius? Is it because the politics of Mauritius is perfect!!? Is it so? Does it not need any reform? I am of the view that politicians need to redefine the role of their agents. They should be directed towards more constructive tasks such as the development of their respective areas.
And its no secret that a certain leader employers more than one PROs as his counselors. I don’t say that he should not. In fact I think that he made an intelligent move and he recognizes the importance of communication. But from the point of view of fair play, is it correct? Why other candidates in the election are being left behind in this domain? Maybe they do not have the financial support to invest in Communication Specialists. And what is the real purpose of employing PROs and who usually does that? The answer maybe “Business Organization that usually aim at making profit and benefiting their organization and their interest!!”.
Another interesting thing I came across it is projection of the movie ‘Mangal Panday” tomorrow night (29.04.2010) in MBC 1. ‘Mangal Pandya’ is an excellent movie that talks about the uprising of Indians against the British Colony in their country. In other words, against the “White people”. I am of the view that despite this being an excellent movie, it is highly inappropriate in the election context. After the election it would have been OK but not before the election. Playing this particular movie a few days before the general election is like a free political campaign of 3 hrs in favour of a particular party and against another particular party! I would like to requested the MBC to postpone this movie for another time, if possible.
Très pertinent Bruno! Notre ami le Fils du Bradeur de la Nation a été contraint dans sa machiavélique stratégie à sacrifier celui qui a rendu notre économie ‘resilient’, contribuer à renflouer les FDI (foreign direct investment), … Et ce n’est pas surprenant.
Je précise que Bradeur de la Nation fait allusion à celui qui a provoqué le drame humain de toute la communauté de Diégo Garcia et les Chagos en lea bradant aux anglais, … alors que l’indépendance était inexorable et s’obtiendrait sans conditions. Pourquoi le surnomme-t-on encore le Père de la Nation, et quelle est la contribution des Beessoondoyal, Anquetil, et autres… Food for Thought.
Sithanen is the father of our EGOnomy. Very good technician but
1) not a team player
2) cannot control his emotions
3) arrogant and full of himself
He is not the only bright individual that this country has produced and who has come from modest origins. There are thousands of them.
How right, Veeren! Rama Sithanen is not the only bright economist in the country. Besides, Economics itself has been termed a dismal ‘science’, which, ceteris paribus (other things being equal), allows one to say something and the contrary in the same breath. Economics assumes that we are rational economic beings, which is far from exact. Now he’s revealing himself as a political turncoat by telling his followers to vote for Alliance du Coeur, which could put an end to his political career. Hopefully, anyone else replacing him will open the door to more economic democracy.
One word : Pathetic!
Guys,
Let me stir the debate a bit more..
I think we are being a bit too cynical of sithanen. He might be a bit arrogant sometimes but the bottomline is that he delivered. Circumtances might or might not have helped but when the world was in crisis, the only person who stood and was counted was him. Together with Ali Mansoor, we had the best team to face the storm.
As a fierce meritocrate, I believed in Ramgoolam as he was a good manager with two serious competetent guys in the right jobs, Sithanen and Duval. The rest was lightweight and fulfilled the social ethnic lobby needs.
Treating sithanen as Ramgoolam did meant that the social ethnic lobby has now a greater weight than meritocracy. Let us not forget that whilst ‘moralite pas rempli ventre’, ‘l’economy rempli ventre’.
I believe in fairness and meritocracy. I want our kids to have equal chances in life. I will vote Sithanen..
Except that he is not a candidate, @Meteo
Personally, I find it bizarre that someone who is still benefiting from the advantages of being the Minister of Finance of a country asking people to vote for the Alliance du Coeur. Why did he not resign? Or why was he not revoked? Something is fishy somewhere…
What Sithanen has tried here over the past 5 years had failed elsewhere 20 years ago. We should also look beyond the smokescreen. Not a bad idea not to get too impressed with the record FDI numbers either. And here’s a little note about the infamous stimulus package.
@Sanjay
Your analysis on the declining savings in banks in Mauritius is interesting. I wasn’t aware that, even though jobs have been created during the past five years, people were saving less.
Sure, just by looking outside, I can see those custom cars and everyone wearing “wedding” clothes to go to work. But I thought people know that they need to have money saved somewhere for the future.
Maybe some of us still lack an understanding of how the real world works? And that life can become tough.
There are all kinds of jobs that get created in the economy. If too many of these don’t pay enough a lot of people will stay in poverty. And here’s some created during the past five years.
Chers Rama et Navin (FILS de l’ILE MAURICE! )
Est-ce que la vie du peuple mauriciens est dépendente des activitées politiques et économiques SEULEMENT?
A mon avis la vie du peuple de toute nation est un tout.
Pour aller de l’avant,
METTEZ l’avenir du PEUPLE EN PREMIER SVP.
RECONCILIEZ-VOUS et VOUS SEREZ UN EXEMPLE de BONNE VOLONTE
ET SEREZ AIMER par le peuple.
*******************
Maintenant si posait une question :
qu’est-ce qu’on voit dans cette situation chez les Navin Ramgoolam et Rama Sithanen?
Ce n’est que l’extérieur?
Et ce qu’on NE VOIT PAS est à l’intérieur chez les deux.
Mais la vérité est ( heureusement !) que l’extérieur et l’intérieur ne sont jamais séparées.
On ne peut pas les séparer car il y a une interaction continuelle -extérieur et intérieur chez les deux.
A mon vis, l’un n’est pas mieux que l’autre et vice versa. Se pointer du doigt est enfantin.
Ce que nous devons comprendre dans toute ce scénario est que les désirs intérieurs et les poursuites des motivations intérieurs, des deux hommes, sont toujours plus puisantes.
Come on guys get together in the interest of the country and its people. You can do it !
In our excitement during and following the elections, we nearly forgot that Rama Sithanen is still a member of the Labour Party.
Who knows what Navin Ramgoolam intends to do with him? Who has an idea?
First of all, one cannot fail to recognise that BOTH were born on ths island and are equally sons of this NATION. I am not implying that there are not yet still other gerat sons and daughters of this nation.
It is a fact, WE ARE a SMALL GREAT NATION.
One can say he started as a ‘vendeur gateau piment’ and pointing at the other saying that ‘you propably never did that’. But it MUST NOT be forgotten how SSR started in life, he even lost one eye, ‘dans so charette boeuf.’So much things he did in his life time for the the people our island. Yes but NO ONE IS PERFECT under the sun, he had his own minuses too.
Yes, Navin probably has learnt a lot from his father, why not ? That is his chance in this life. I am not jealous of that. But one needs to recognise also, that others are also born with others chances in life.
Navin & Rama, both need to get together and identify each other’s +’s & -’s. It is normal we all have them no one is exempted.
To say that one have none or saying the other is more at fault etc is peurile, isn’t it?
If one has understood well, Rama was given a ticket in constituency ‘ X’ but wanted it in previous constituency ‘Y’ and plus a condition that he be the Finance Minister.
In my humble analysis, I see that BOTH, Navin & Rama are NOT exempted from their interior desirs, pursuits of their interior motivations i.e. there MUST BE A GIVE and TAKE for the INTEREST of the country and its people PLEASE.
Mauritians are very well educated, and need leaders who are ready to let go their IMAGES that they might have built for themselves or inherited.Forget NOT dear SONS of Mauritius they are JUST IMAGES !!!
Let those IMAGES go and the whole NATION will prosper. Come on NAVIN, RAMA, & PRAVIND you CAN DO IT GUYS!
YES YOU CAN !
MK
(a modest son of Maurtius also,
but not interested in any future political ticket
@sanjay
I would also add the following about sithanen…he made the rich richer and the poor poorer.
1) He removed taxes from big cars and reduced high income tax brackets to 15%. I was looking at the annual report of our leading bank. 3 of the top managers each get more than Rs 15 million each (excluding other benefits, like travels, cars, cheap loans, etc…)
2) CEOs and top managers get big cars (with monthly costs of Rs 50 000 to 100 000). Costs include depreciation over 5 years, maintenance, insurance, fuel. Sithanen lets them declare these benefits as only Rs 4 000 per month!!
No wonder the private sector CEO’s regret Sithanen
3) People who own multiple houses and villas own them through societes (they end up paying no NRPT and escape transfer taxes, by selling their parts in the societe and not the property itself)
4)He cancelled food for children at school. With some imagination he could have use incentives to encourage children and parents to be interested in schooling
5) He made people lose valuable time with his measures that did not bring much income for the governement ( HSC/SC fees, NRPT, Tax on savings)
6) His subsidy for SC/HSC exams were so complex that even his advisors (from the World Bank)could not figure out who was going to pay how much. A much simpler method could have been used: people who do not pay taxes get full subsidies.
7) For sugar cane planters, he introduced taxes for smaller tonnages and fixed expenses. If you do not like it,you have to keep detailed expenses…now can you imagine a small cane grower having to justify in his return all his expenses! A simpler method would have been to keep the existing tonnage. Does this minimal additional revenue justify all the hassles?
@veeren
The damage is indeed extensive.Better options were available.
@veeren
you may also wish to check this.
…..did the ‘Ali Mansoor’ issue play a role in Sithanen’s fall from grace? I for one was creasing with laughter at the Pravind Jagnauth’s nomination/elavation to minister of finance (not bad for a lawyer!). Ultimately the Mauritian people gave BBR the mandate to rule, no point in bitching about it now! MSM did very well; 5 minsitries for about 1% of BBR’s total share of the vote! I bet the PMSD (2 ministries) must be seething with anger!
Berenger’s cardinal error of falling into a well-laid trap, thinking that Ramgoolam was ‘serious’ about entering into an alliance with him, whilst Ramgoolam was in fact preparing for elections (thus denying the MMM adequate time to prepare their campaign) was naievety par excellance. Ramgoolam was simultaneously wagging his finger at the PMSD, who earlier this year were openly opposing the campaign (instigated by Ramgoolam)on the return of the death penality. Furthermore by demanding more ministeries, the PMSD were openly challenging Navin’s writ. I wonder; were the PMSD dreaming of a ‘Bleau-Mauve’ l’alliance?
Fast-forwading to a potential scenario; how long will the BBR co-alition last? (will it last longer than the Con-Lib government in the UK?)Should this (BBR) alliance break apart and P.Jugnauth, running a subsequent blatantly communal campaign, thus winning the elections. We would have the spectre of Papa (doc?)President and PM Son! Would P.Jugnauth call A.Jugnauth ‘daddy’ or ‘Mr. President’?
I CHALLENGE NAVIN RAMGOOLAM TO DE-COMMUNALISE POLITICS IN MAURITIUS-BY LAW! I have discussed this issue with many Mauritians of ALL ethic/religious backgrounds, especially Mauritians (like myself) who were ex-pats and have now returned home. The Michael Sik Yuen issue is but a reminder of how disgraceful this issue is. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! This is a sure way to guarantee a future racial/religious conflict in Mauritius.
……by NOT banning communalism in politics.
@Melt
I think we are moving in the right direction. The best loser system will evolve to something better. The Sik Yuen case has clearly demonstrated its limits.
As for the MSM, I think they did well and I don’t believe there is a major risk that there is a breakup between the PTr and the MSM in the short term. See http://www.elections.mu/2010/05/07/la-grande-performance-du-msm/
@Melt,
Reading you comments, it seems that you have some difficulties in accepting the fact that the bright mauritian electors have voted for this government and that we are moving forward.
So please stop bitching about it and enjoy yourself. By the way, I read that Sik Yuen had himself spent a lot of time in Canada and is now back. Viva Sik Yuen.
@veeren
obviously u were one of the ‘bright electors’ (sic.) who are not so bright after all! bitching is the pre-occupation of intellectually defunct people, who cant’t debate in a coherent manner. had u been literate, u would realise that this is an open forum.
@Melt
You said it: Berenger has lost because of himself.
No point blaming and insulting the others.
Elections are over. Sithanen is out. Berenger is out.
Vereen, your true colours are ‘shining’ through. Had you read my previous post(s) you would have realised that I’m NOT aligned with ANY political party. Did Ramgoolam promise you any goodies?
@Melt @Veeren
3 years ago, the euro was at 1.60 USD (I remember dollar fell to around Rs 25 and Euro was around Rs 45). Today dollar is at Rs 34 and Euro at Rs 42, 1 euro = 1.24 USD.
This alone could account for the success of the mauritian economy that imports more in dollars and export more in euros. Did sithanen surf on this wave?
Pravind subit le spectre de Rama
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