Three opposition MPs suspended for at least 4 sittings, denounce ‘lies’

Three opposition MPs (Labour) were expelled from parliament on Tuesday after heated debates around the mention of Mrs Veena Ramgoolam, the wife of former Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam, during parliamentary debates.

Labour’s Shakeel Mohamed were suspended for five sessions while Mahen Gungapersad and Patrick Assirvaden were suspended for four sessions.

The expulsion came during the Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQT) by MSM MP Kenny Dhunoo, concerning the non-payment of Dr Ramgoolam’s medical travel expenses in India in September 2021. The former PM had been tested positive for Covid-19.

The opposition MPs objected to the PM’s explanation stating that he received a call from the wife of Dr Ramgoolam to seek help.

“This is unheard of and is against Parliamentary Standing Orders. You do not mention the name of a party who is not in Parliament,” Mohamed, before he was expelled by Speaker Sooroojdev Phokeer.

Pursuing his explanation, Jugnauth claimed a meeting was held on the same matter in the presence of Labour President Patrick Assirvaden- which the latter denied repeatedly. “It’s a lie. I was not there.”

Assirvaden was eventually “named” by the Speaker, who requested the help of the “Sergeant at Arms” to escort the MP out of Parliament.