The prolific SNP elected member of the National Assembly of Les Mamelles constituency scored the highest number of votes at the SNP convention on Sunday at the International Conference Centre for membership of the Executive Committee of the party. Georges, who is expected to succeed Ramkalawan as SNP leader, ultimately got a pleasant surprise as the delegates present sent a clear message that they are not averse to him and will give the genial Georges their blessings and unequivocal support if he decides to stand for leadership of the party in the future. Georges has been more and more seen as playing less of an active political role and moving more towards his religious and civic duties with the Anglican Church recently. He was expected not to stand for the Executive Committee election but changed his mind at the last minute as his wife, Annette Georges, had also decided not to stand anymore. Georges had also confided in close friends and relatives that he will not stand again as a candidate for the Les Mamelles constituency in the next general election but would rather concentrate on his pastoral duties. He may yet change his mind after this impressive score at the SNP Convention. Georges scored an unprecedented 447 votes behind Ramkalawan’s 467 and is now perceived as the clear favourite to take over the reign of the leadership when the latter steps down. Ramkalawan who run unopposed for the leadership of the party was also elected without difficulty. Ramkalawan is expected to get a monthly pension of Rs.21, 000 a month for the rest of his life after the amendment to the Emolument Bill is passed by the National Assembly soon. This may finally prompt Ramkalawan to step down making way for Georges to take over.
Georges, a
The SNP also chose the occasion of the Convention to amend their constitution to provide for two Secretaries General and appoint an additional three new members on the Executive Committee. David Pierre and Jean Francois Ferrari became the newly appointed deputy secretaries general whilst Annette Georges vacated her seat on the Committee as Treasurer. Maryse Eichler, Jose Gervais Henri and Vivienne Soundy were the newcomers on the Committee. Surprisingly Norbert Loizeau was nowhere to be found and he may also be drinking in his last chance saloon by the look of things. Ramkalawan also chose the occasion to wantonly attack James Mancham and the DP after he failed to get any applause for announcing his change of approach to the SPPF government. Referring to the former President, Ramkalawan stated: “I, Wavel Ramkalawan, can guarantee you this; I will never be another James Mancham and the DP.” As Michel Tretout would have said in good French, “Qui s’excuse, s’accuse!” Mancham, who had supported Ramkalawan unequivocally in the last Presidential elections, was taken aback by his comment. Gratitude, it seems, is not one of Ramkalawan’s forte. Ramkalawan had already given us a hint about his intention to change his political strategy when he announced in Regar last week that “both the President and I have a vision for the country.” By referring to the President and himself in the same breath, Ramkalawan was already hinting at a drastic change of political strategy, to the disappointment and disillusionment of his supporters.
Annette Georges who was the Vice Presidential candidate in the last Presidential election and the Treasurer of the party has been replaced by Vivienne Soundy. Soundy was also elected the chairperson of the women groupings in the SNP recently. Surprisingly, Alain Ste Ange was also elected as an Executive Committee member in abstentia despite not putting his candidature for the post. The other elected Executive Members elected on Sunday were Bernard Georges, Jose Henri, Regina Alcindor, Sandy Arrisol, Nigel Rosette, Hardy Lucas, Alain Ste Ange, Jane Carpin, Maryse Eichler and Antony Derjacques.