Former deputy leader of the Parti Mauricien Social Democrate ( PMSD) Eric Guimbeau said yesterday he will not return to the PMSD. He also confirmed that rejoining the MMM is not an option.

Mr Guimbeau said during a press conference that he finds himself “ in a very delicate situation” after PMSD Maurice Allet decided to reunite with the Parti Mauricien Xavier Duval ( PMXD) and join the Social Alliance.

He insisted he will continue to sit as an independent MP and that he had no ambition to start a new political party.

“ It is all over. The page is already turned. I will not return to the PMSD. Although I still hold Maurice Allet in high respect, I believe that what he has done is tantamount to treason,” said Mr Guimbeau.

Whatever decision he will take as far as his political future is concerned will be done after consultation with his electorate in constituency No 17 ( Curepipe/ Midlands) where is an elected MP. Mr Guimbeau said he was saddened by a statement made by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam on Saturday. “ The prime minister said I am a liar. I know that I am not an important person. Xavier Duval also severely criticised me.

“ I have never run after politicians. I was a social worker and it was the politicians who insisted that I should join politics. I am not a puppet in the hands of politicians.

“ I did sit as an independent member once. I am ready to do it a second time,” said Mr Guimbeau.

He revealed that Mr Allet had confided in him that an alliance grouping the Labour Party, the Mouvement Socialiste Militant ( MSM) and the PMXD was already in the offing and that it was appropriate for the PMSD to join that alliance.

“ I was dead- against the idea of joining the Social Alliance as we were already in negotiation with the MMM. Paul Berenger ( MMM leader) probably had the information that Allet was trying his luck with the Social Alliance.

That’s why he put Allet on a fidelity test. Allet was taken in his own trap,” claimed Mr Guimbeau.

He added that he had had an offer to join the PMXD when he had the left the MMM in the past, but that he turned down the offer.

Mr Guimbeau explained that he refused to participate in the lunch during which Mr Allet and Mr Duval met and discussed the reunification of the “ blue family”. He also severely criticised Mr Allet for meeting the prime minister at a time when negotiations between the PMSD and the MMM were still on.

“ Maurice Allet has chosen his own advantages and that is why he left. I have no choice. I prefer to remain as an independent MP,” he said.

He denied rumours that Mr Berenger had tried to lure him away from the PMSD, but admitted that the leader of the MMM had made him an offer to return to the party.

“ What is my political future? I will continue to sit as an independent MP and wait. I will not take any decision for the time being. I am pondering my political future,” said Mr Guimbeau.

He also challenged the secretary general of the Labour Party, Mr Deva Virahsawmy, to ask the Independent Commission Against Corruption ( ICAC) to start an inquiry on him ( Mr Guimbeau). Mr Virahsawmy had announced earlier that he was contemplating such a move.

Newsnow 09/09/09