After the Political Bureau Meeting - MMM: Party Discipline Presented Against the "Rebels"

On Monday, March 23, the Political Bureau of the MMM demonstrated its majority support for remaining in government. Its president, Reza Uteem, reiterated the party's constitutional rules in the absence of leader Paul Bérenger and Joanna Bérenger, who did not attend the meeting.

Following the highly anticipated Political Bureau (BP) meeting held on March 23, the party president, Reza Uteem, provided an overview of attendance: out of 37 members, 22 were present, two sent apologies, and 13 were absent. However, he clarified that most of the absentees were recently co-opted members who do not have voting rights.

During a press conference with MMM MPs who chose to remain in government, Reza Uteem emphasized an important legal fact: the MMM has not yet received any resignation letters from its members. "Everyone is still part of the MMM, including leader Paul Bérenger, who resigned as Deputy Prime Minister on Friday, March 21, and Joanna Bérenger, who stepped down from her position as Junior Minister for the Environment on Monday, March 23."

Regarding the meeting's proceedings, Reza Uteem stated there were "very frank discussions where everyone could express themselves freely." BP members also acknowledged Paul Bérenger's contributions as party leader within the government. The meeting noted a statement made by Bérenger himself on Wednesday, March 18, where he indicated that the "vast majority" of Central Committee (CC) members had decided that the MMM should not leave the government.

It was precisely on this CC decision that Reza Uteem based his constitutional argument. He reminded that while the MMM "advocates the right to differing opinions" and everyone is free to express themselves, "party discipline must prevail." He reaffirmed the hierarchy of the party's structures: the Assembly of Delegates is the supreme body of the party, and in between meetings of this assembly, it is the CC that holds authority. "When the CC decides, by its 'vast majority', that the MMM must remain in government, the MMM does not have the right to go against its CC," he asserted.

Addressing those who claim to embody activism values, the MMM president was clear: they must start by respecting the party's constitution. "Discipline is the essence of activism," he asserted.

Looking ahead, Reza Uteem announced a CC meeting scheduled for Saturday, March 28, at the Beau-Bassin/Rose-Hill municipal council chamber, where representatives from various regional committees can voice their opinions on the situation. He also highlighted that the composition of the BP meeting—consisting of the president, secretary general, four deputy leaders, as well as the heads of the youth and women’s wings—demonstrates that the vast majority of BP members support the CC's decision to keep the MMM in government.

Series of Departures

A series of departures occurred on Monday. Among them was Shaffick Ahmad, who submitted his resignation letter as Senior Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister's Office on Monday. Shaad Chellapermal also stepped down from his position as president of the National Youth Council. "I am and will always be guided by my principles and true activist values," he stated. Lawyer Nabil Moolna indicated that, "faithful to the activist values and the man who embodies them," he resigns as an advisor to the Attorney General. "I will personally observe a duty of discretion regarding government actions, out of respect for the trust Gavin Glover has shown me. I wish him the best. The country comes first." Kishore Pertab, another Senior Advisor (Policy and Strategy) to the Deputy Prime Minister's Office, also noted his decision to withdraw from his position on the board of the Economic Development Board and its subcommittees. Other advisors to Paul Bérenger, Daniella Bastien and Vijay Makhan, also resigned from their functions on Friday.