Parliamentary: Zahid Nazurally, the Only Consensus Figure in the Chamber

Zahid Nazurally stands out as the only member of parliament who commands respect from both sides of the chamber. Over the past week, he did not hesitate to correct several lawmakers, including those from the ruling majority and even the Prime Minister, during discussions regarding a motion of censure against the Speaker.

During a tense moment in the debate, when Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth raised a point of order, asking opposition leader Arvin Boolell to validate his claims about Adrien Duval—whom Boolell accused of campaigning since being elected Speaker—Nazurally intervened.

He reminded Jugnauth, “But that was his statement. Let us see if he proves it. If he does not prove it, I will stop.”

Similarly, when Xavier-Luc Duval raised the same point a few minutes later, Nazurally, who served as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, calmly asserted his authority:

“I think I have it right. As far as I am concerned, I have gone through the Erskine May and many Motions of No Confidence throughout the week. I would not stop him from making the statements and substantiating them later on.”

In that same session, Nazurally asked several members of the majority, including ministers and opposition lawmakers, to step outside for some fresh air, noting that their ongoing chatter was disruptive despite his repeated calls for order.

The principal figure in the discussions, Adrien Duval, chose not to respond to requests for comments.

However, those close to him were not surprised by his demeanor in the chamber. “He was elected as Deputy Speaker for this reason. If he did not have the capability, he wouldn’t be in that position. He knows what he is doing,” they commented.

The question now arised whether this approach will affect his political future, especially amid the growing ties between the MSM and PMSD. Only time will tell.

Another significant moment in recent weeks was Nazurally’s behavior during the election of Adrien Duval.

He was seen in videos alongside opposition members who were barricaded at the entrance of the chamber by police.

“At that precise moment, he stepped up to do the work of several people by trying to comprehend what was happening and restoring order amidst an administrative error concerning the invitations,” insiders revealed.

To date, Nazurally’s conduct has drawn praise from both the government and the opposition, particularly after he submitted a comprehensive document outlining his vision for the country— during which he is not always complimentary towards the government.

Source: l’Express