Militant Socialist Movement - August 1983 - The General Elections

The General Elections

The results of the general elections of August 1983 were not the fruit of the chance but the realization of “Vox populi” through the ballot boxes. Once the swing-low of the election campaign finished, the government of Anerood Jugnauth rolled up the handles to be put seriously at work. The government resulting from the elections of 1983 had for prime objective to give fresh impulse to the economy, to stimulate industrialization, to activate the frank zone of export and to launch a significant agricultural diversification. It was then a question of leaving the country the stagnation and of eliminating the threat from social explosion by creating jobs. The achievement of this objective passed by a revision of the political ideology preached before to the MM. The MSM had decided to choose political realism and pragmatism. The results were going to impress the whole world: small Mauritius under Prime-ministership de Sir Anerood Jugnauth carried out an economic miracle. The country thus joined the league of the developing countries. The period 1983-1995 will remain engraved forever in the history of the country, because it was glorious in more than one way and will remain a reference for the future. The building work of Mauritius modern and resolutely turned towards the future was going to continue between 2000 and 2005, once again when the MSM was with the government. The new leader and ex-minister of Finances, Pravind Jugnauth, gave an outline of his vision of Mauritius of tomorrow by posting his will to transform the country into a `Duty Free Island' in Budget 2005/2006. Under the enlightened leadership of Pravind Jugnauth, the MSM prepares to reconquer the capacity, to give again hope with the people Mauritian, to make revive the glorious moments of 1983-1995 by republishing the exploit of a second economic miracle. While basing the action with the government on political realism and economic pragmatism, the MSM has an ideal which can be summarized with the following objectives:

• To consolidate the unit in the diversity, which hardens peace and the harmony and guarantees the political stability which in itself is an indispensable condition to attract in the country the investors and the investment without which the economy does not thrive

• To create better living conditions by modernizing the country more and creating richnesses to widen the national cake

• To ensure a serene future in a context of liberalization and globalisation

• To promote the wellbeing of the population and to bring happiness in each Mauritian family

The party's golden years were during the 1980s and 1990s, where it is recognised to have been at its strongest. Indeed, this period was considered as being one of the best the party ever knew. By an amalgamation with Harish Boodhoo's PSM, the party was formed in 1983, one year after the first ever 60-0 victory at Mauritian elections. With its dream-team, the MSM marked a long era of stability and security in Mauritius. It is to be noted however that many of the members emerging from this party- Anil Baichoo, Madun Dulloo, Ajay Daby, Vishnu Lutchmeenaraidoo, Kadress Pillay, Sheila Bapoo, Mahen Utchanah - to name a few, while still being very much present on the political scene, are no longer members of the MSM.

The leader of the MSM has for long been Sir Anerood Jugnauth. He then handed over the leadership to his son, Pravind Jugnauth, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister. Anerood Jugnauth is currently the President of the Republic of Mauritius.