India's UP abuzz with Pravind's win
Pravind Jugnauth victory has significantly eliminated the political opponents from the Vaish group in Mauritius
Months ago, a diplomat from Mauritius visited Rasra in Uttar Pradesh, India, reportedly in a bid to trace PM Pravind Jugnauth’s ancestors.
At least four people in Ballia’s Rasra have claimed that he belongs to their families and they are excited the latter won the general elections on Nov 7.
His victory created a buzz in the district’s Rasra area. This is from where his ancestors are said to have migrated to the island-nation.
According to news18 congratulatory messages were exchanged over social media. They were celebrating the results of the elections last week in Mauritius.
Incumbent Jugnauth took oath on Tuesday with new faces in the Cabinet.
But after the elections, there is a sentiment of disappointment in some sectors in the country.
The MSM-ML-Allies won the elections, consolidating its grip on power with 60% of seats. But it won only 37% of the votes.
THE FALL OF RAMGOOLAM
Mauritius did not witness the fall of PTR leader Navin Ramgoolam alone. It has also seen the fall of various other Vaish leaders from the main opposition parties.
Ramgoolam lost his second successive bid to be elected but won a landmark ruling in his favour in a case of the cash stash found in his house after the 2014 general elections.
Yet, for Pravind the election result is another personal victory. It eliminated leaders such as Anil Baichoo from the PTR.
Also eliminated temporarily from the Vaish leadership race is MMM’s Ajay Gunesh and Madan Dulloo.
Baichoo, Gunesh and Dulloo were defeated in the elections and not only lost their seats in Parliament, but also their chance to lead the Vaish community.
Dulloo claims he has evidence of vote-rigging but it is only the Labour Party or PTR that has signalled its intent to contest the elections in the courts.
The PTR and some other political figures condemned the fact that thousands of people could not vote on Nov 7.
A petition demanding the elections be recalled got more than 55,000 signatures.