Pauline ETIENNE
18 October 2007
Port Louis — I've changed my mind. During the whole time Dinesh Ramjuttun had been causing mayhem, I could not understand the stand of the prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam. Instead of calling his "special adviser" to order and reminding him that he is supposed to support the government's decisions, he has been blowing hot and cold to try and please both his minister of Finance and his thunderous adviser.
Yet, the least we can say is that Dinesh Ramjuttun has not been really nice towards members of the government. He has preferred to support Tianli planters, Chitrokoot inhabitants and all those who had a grudge against the tax measures of Rama Sithanen's last budget rather than those on his side of the fence.
But he reached another extreme this week when he showered Vishnu Lutchmeenaraidoo with praise on the air of private radios and in the press saying he had been the best minister of Finance this country ever had. It's nearly certain that Dinesh Ramjuttun has something in mind when he allows himself such freedom of expression.
However, what is astonishing is the apparent absence of reaction of the prime minister. Dinesh Ramjuttun must have a real power in the field if the PM accepts that his authority be trampled upon to such an extent without finding it useful to take action.
In fact, he even takes exactly the opposite stand he would be expected to take. Instead of making it clear that he is the head of government and that there must be cohesion within the Social Alliance, Navin Ramgoolam takes the surprising decision of reopening the Chitrakoot file - thus putting the cabinet decision to close down the school and the official stand of his Education minister of aside. Instead of firing his special adviser - who is obviously giving a bad image of the government - he takes two full hours in his busy schedule to meet Dinesh Ramjuttun and ask him to reconsider his decision to leave.
Such a reaction is totally unexpected and quite incomprehensible, I must admit! In fact he must be in an uncomfortable position to remain silent despite all the attacks against his government's decisions.
The adviser is very aware of his power; he said he "proved" that his main strength in politics was his work in the field. This must be so true that Navin Ramgoolam can't afford to lose him - thus giving a golden opportunity to the opposition. He must certainly be controlling himself to make sure he keeps his head.
I would be tempted to say pity the poor PM! However, I remember him saying that popularity can't be more important than the country's interest If he really believes in the decisions made by his government - and taken aback by his own adviser - then he should really keep his own words in mind!
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