You would think that after all these years of constant disappointment, we would be impervious to the empty words of our political class. Out of all the broken promises, lies and corruption, we were supposed to emerge with skin as rough as Anerood Jugnauth’s vocabulary. Yet, in the face of adversity, we have overcome the hurdle of logical reasoning and fallen prey to ignorance once again.

In front of an adoring crowd in Vacoas, the main protagonists of the Alliance Lepep were offered the perfect platform to remind us that we are trapped. If ever they were good at something – other than thumping their chest and selling us the dreams of smart cities – it is saying anything they want and still get away with it. 

It is fair to say that the prime minister leads the way magnificently in that respect. Clearly, our educational system has failed us if we cannot recognise the eligibility of Jugnauth’s ‘eoula’ as a valid answer to any question. Questioned about Heritage City’s financing a few months back, Jugnauth graced us with his famous expression. Eoula! Sure, Heritage City makes total sense now.

Moreover, when asked about his long-time ally Prakash Maunthrooa, Jugnauth claimed that he was not sitting on any board. Except that he was, both at the SBM and at Air Mauritius.  Was he held accountable for that lie? Eoula! You have to admit that there is an undeniable nonsensical charm to the expression.

“They even lie to each other.”

Following their leader blindly in his revolutionary endeavour, the ruling coalition did not disappoint. Showkutally Soodhun lied in parliament last week claiming that he was not minister in February 2011 when his son’s enterprise was dealing with the government.  It is true that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is not as fascinating as the Ministry of Islamic Affairs but there was no need to lie about it.

Taking it even further, they even lie to each other. The Bhadain-Lutchmeenaraidoo-Jugnauth affidavit is well documented but it goes beyond that. While in front of the prime minister they all pledge allegiance to his superior vulgarity and leadership, in his absence, the story is completely different. Mamade Khodabaccus, general secretary of the PMSD, sat next to his colleagues from the MSM and the ML before and after the political meeting on 1 May to praise the unity in government under the immovable leadership of Anerood Jugnauth. However, during the PMSD’s anniversary a few weeks back, Khodabaccus rallied his troops and asked them to turn the whole country blue in a bid to make Xavier-Luc Duval the prime minister of Mauritius. He did not whisper it behind closed doors but rather defiantly bellowed it in public in front of MSM members like Nando Bodha.

There is no doubt that getting away with everything that comes out of their mouth is an art in itself. However, falling for it every single time is real magic from the population. Eoula! 

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