Nintendo Player Ends Cooling-off Period

Because he is not convinced that Ramgoolam is serious about presenting a bill to modify the constitutional set up in Parliament. So he will resume talks with the MSM this week. But as he has a big preference for an alliance with the Labour Party expect more zig-zags, about-faces, kustiks and what not.

In the meantime the chess-player improves his majority to 38-31 after poaching MP Bholah from the MSM. Labour now has all three MPs in the riding that returned the former President -- and one of the challengers to Navin Ramgoolam -- many times to parliament.

What now? A couple of defections from the MMM?

Martin Leaves MSM, Ramgoolam's Majority Improves

It's now 37-32 so that even if MR leaves government, Ramgoolam can still pass budgets and begin work to shrug off his neocon label. This will also allow Ministers to travel a bit more freely during Parliamentary season. And apparently there are a few more MSM MPs seriously thinking about joining government.

Seetaram Crosses Floor To Give Ramgoolam Breathing Space

He is one of four Ministers minted today which provides Ramgoolam with at least a majority of 3 (36-33) in Parliament. This could change as Ramgoolam could mint a few more to consolidate his numbers in our Assembly.  And those could still include Pravind Jugnauth. Other things of note is that Xavier Duval becomes Finance Minister while Anil Baichoo is promoted as Vice-Prime Minister.

So that's where the political chessboard stands as we speak.