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m since he holds several honorary doctorates, it is more appropriate to note that he was first a Physician.
 
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{{short description|Prime Minister of Mauritius (1995–2000, 2005–2014)}}
{{Short description|Prime Minister of Mauritius (1995–2000; 2005–2014; since 2024)}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Update|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = {{ubl|Navin Ramgoolam|नवीन रामगुलाम|<small>}}
| name = Navin Ramgoolam
| native_name =
| office = [[List of Prime Ministers of Mauritius|3rd]] [[Prime Minister of Mauritius]]
| honorific-prefix = [[The Honorable]]
| honorific-prefix = [[The Honourable]]
| honorific-suffix = [[Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean|GCSK]] [[Royal College of Physicians|FRCP]]
| honorific-suffix = [[Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean|GCSK]] [[Royal College of Physicians|FRCP]]
| image = Navin Ramgoolam 2014.png
| image = Mr. Navin Ramgoolam 2018 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Ramgoolam in 2014
| caption = Ramgoolam in 2018
| predecessor = [[Paul Bérenger]]
| office = 3rd [[Prime Minister of Mauritius]]
| president = {{ubl|[[Anerood Jugnauth]]|[[Kailash Purryag]]}}
| term_start = 13 November 2024
| successor = [[Anerood Jugnauth]]
| term_end =
| signature = Navin Ramgoolam Signature.svg
| president = [[Prithvirajsing Roopun]]<br>[[Dharam Gokhool]]
| vicepresident = [[Eddy Boissezon]]<br>[[Robert Hungley]]
| office2 = 7th [[Leader of the Opposition (Mauritius)|Leader of the Opposition]]
| predecessor2 = [[Paul Berenger]]
| deputy = [[Paul Berenger]]
| primeminister2 = {{ubl|[[Anerood Jugnauth]]|[[Paul Bérenger]]}}
| predecessor = [[Pravind Jugnauth]]
| party = [[Labour Party (Mauritius)|Labour Party]]
| successor =
| predecessor1 = [[Anerood Jugnauth]]
| term_start1 = 5 July 2005
| president1 = [[Cassam Uteem]]
| term_end1 = 17 December 2014
| successor1 = [[Anerood Jugnauth]]
| president1 = {{ubl|[[Anerood Jugnauth]]|[[Kailash Purryag]]}}
| vicepresident1 = [[Raouf Bundhun]]<br>[[Angidi Chettiar]]<br>[[Monique Ohsan Bellepeau]]
| successor2 = [[Paul Bérenger]]
| deputy1 = [[Rashid Beebeejaun]]
| predecessor1 = [[Paul Bérenger]]
| successor1 = Anerood Jugnauth
| term_start2 = 27 December 1995
| term_end2 = 11 September 2000
| president2 = [[Cassam Uteem]]
| deputy2 = [[Paul Berenger]]<br>[[Kailash Purryag]]
| predecessor2 = Anerood Jugnauth
| successor2 = Anerood Jugnauth
| office3 = 7th [[Leader of the Opposition (Mauritius)|Leader of the Opposition]]
| term_start3 = 11 September 2000
| term_end3 = 4 July 2005
| primeminister3 = {{ubl|Anerood Jugnauth|[[Paul Bérenger]]}}
| predecessor3 = Paul Berenger
| successor3 = Paul Bérenger
| term_start4 = 15 September 1991
| term_end4 = 20 December 1995
| primeminister4 = Anerood Jugnauth
| predecessor4 = [[Prem Nababsing]]
| successor4 = Nicholas
| birth_name = Navinchandra Ramgoolam
| birth_name = Navinchandra Ramgoolam
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1947|7|14|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1947|7|14|df=y}}
Line 25: Line 47:
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| citizenship = {{ubl|[[Mauritius]]|[[United Kingdom]]}}
| citizenship = {{ubl|[[Mauritian]]|[[United Kingdom|British]]}}{{fact|date=November 2024}}
| spouse = Veena Brizmohun {{small|(1979–present)}}
| party = [[Labour Party (Mauritius)|Labour Party]]
| spouse = [[Veena Ramgoolam]] (Brizmohun) {{small|(1979–present)}}
| parents = {{ubl|[[Seewoosagur Ramgoolam]]|[[Sushil Ramgoolam|Sushil Ramjoorawon]]}}
| parents = {{ubl|[[Seewoosagur Ramgoolam]]|[[Sushil Ramgoolam|Sushil Ramjoorawon]]}}
| children = Xara Keiron Chandra Soornack (born 2009)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Peerbaye |first1=Nafisah |title=Pravind Jugnauth : «Linn fer piti li pann decklaré 19-August-2017 |date=19 August 2017 |url=https://lexpress.mu/video/314427/pravind-jugnauth-linn-fer-piti-li-pann-decklare |publisher=L'Express |access-date=14 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Samoisy |first1=Laura |title=Nandanee Soornack en Italie: Elle dévoile la paternité de sa fille pour éviter la déportation |url=https://www.5plus.mu/faits-divers/nandanee-soornack-en-italie-elle-devoile-la-paternite-de-sa-fille-pour-eviter-la |publisher=5Plus |access-date=2015-12-15 |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313230239/https://www.5plus.mu/faits-divers/nandanee-soornack-en-italie-elle-devoile-la-paternite-de-sa-fille-pour-eviter-la |url-status=live }}</ref>
| residence = Riverwalk, Floreal
| residence = Riverwalk, Floreal
| alma_mater = {{ubl|[[Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland|National University of Ireland]]|[[London School of Economics]]|[[City Law School|Inns of Court School of Law]]}}
| alma_mater = {{ubl|[[Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland|National University of Ireland]]|[[London School of Economics]]|[[City Law School|Inns of Court School of Law]]}}
| term_start = 5 July 2005
| signature = Navin Ramgoolam Signature.svg
| native_name_lang =
| term_end = 17 December 2014
| term_start1 = 27 December 1995
| country = [[Mauritius]]
| term_end1 = 11 September 2000
| profession = [[Politician]], physician
| term_start2 = 11 September 2000
| term_end2 = 4 July 2005
| primeminister3 = [[Anerood Jugnauth]]
| term_start3 = 15 September 1991
| term_end3 = 20 December 1995
| predecessor3 = [[Prem Nababsing]]
| successor3 = Nicholas Von Mally
}}
}}
'''Navinchandra Ramgoolam''' (born 14 July 1947) is a Mauritian politician and physician serving as [[prime minister of Mauritius]] for the third time following the [[2024 Mauritian general election|2024 general election]], after the landslide victory of his coalition [[Alliance du Changement]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=AFP |date=13 November 2024 |title=Mauritius gets new PM after a clean-sweep election win {{!}} New Straits Times |url=https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2024/11/1133599/mauritius-gets-new-pm-after-clean-sweep-election-win |access-date=13 November 2024 |website=NST Online |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Île Maurice : après sa large victoire aux élections législatives, Navin Ramgoolam prête serment {{!}} TV5MONDE - Informations |url=https://information.tv5monde.com/afrique/ile-maurice-apres-sa-large-victoire-aux-elections-legislatives-navin-ramgoolam-prete |access-date=17 November 2024 |work=information.tv5monde.com |date=13 November 2024 |language=fr}}</ref> He is a prominent figure in the political history of Mauritius, having served multiple terms as the Prime Minister of the country. He is also the leader of the [[Labour Party (Mauritius)|Labour Party]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Législatives à l'île Maurice : le chef de l'opposition revendique la victoire |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2024/11/12/legislatives-a-l-ile-maurice-le-chef-de-l-opposition-revendique-la-victoire_6389157_3212.html |access-date=17 November 2024 |date=12 November 2024 |language=fr}}</ref>


Following former prime minister [[Pravind Jugnauth]]'s resignation, Ramgoolam was sworn in as prime minister at the State House of Mauritius in the presence of [[President (government title)|President]] [[Prithvirajsing Roopun]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Navin Ramgoolam Appointed as Prime Minister of Mauritius – GKToday |url=https://www.gktoday.in/navin-ramgoolam-sworn-in-as-prime-minister/ |access-date=17 November 2024 |work=www.gktoday.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mauritius opposition leader Ramgoolam sworn in as PM after election rout |url=https://ddnews.gov.in/en/mauritius-opposition-leader-ramgoolam-sworn-in-as-pm-after-election-rout/ |access-date=17 November 2024 |work=ddnews.gov.in}}</ref>
'''Navinchandra Ramgoolam''', [[Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean|GCSK]], [[Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians|FRCP]] (born July 14, 1947), is a Mauritian politician who was the former [[Prime Minister of Mauritius]] from 2005 to 2014 and leader of the [[Labour Party (Mauritius)]].<ref name="lab">{{cite web|url=http://www.labourparty.mu/fr/info/notre-leader.html|title=Notes Biographiques|publisher=Labour Party|access-date=26 January 2014|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919110720/http://labourparty.mu/fr/info/notre-leader.html|archive-date=19 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He was [[Leader of the Opposition (Mauritius)|Leader of the Opposition]] from 1991 to 1995. He served as Prime Minister for the first time from December 1995 until September 2000, and then became Leader of the Opposition again from October 2000 to the Fourth of July 2005. On July 5, 2005, he became prime minister for a second term after his coalition, "[[Alliance Sociale]]" won the general elections. He was re-elected Prime Minister from 2005 to 2014, when he was defeated.

Ramgoolam was prime minister for the first time from December 1995 until September 2000 and then became leader of the opposition again from October 2000 to 4 July 2005.
On 5 July 2005, he became prime minister for a second term after his coalition, [[Alliance Sociale]], won the general elections. He was re-elected prime minister in 2005, serving until 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=New broom's promise to sweep clean |date=5 July 2005 |url=https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2005/07/05/new-brooms-promise-sweep-clean |publisher=The New Humanitarian |access-date=17 November 2024}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Navin Ramgoolam was born on 14 July 1947 to [[Seewoosagur Ramgoolam]] (SSR) and [[Sushil Ramgoolam|Sushil Ramjoorawon]] at their Desforges Street residence in [[Port Louis]]. SSR was the 6th [[Governor-General of Mauritius|Governor General]] of Mauritius, as well as the first [[Chief Minister]] and Prime Minister of Mauritius. In the 1800s his ancestors migrated to Mauritius from Harigaon in [[Bhojpur district, India|Bhojpur district]], [[Bihar]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Politics here is spelt with a capital 'C' - Indian Express|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/politics-here-is-spelt-with-a-capital--c-/292166/|access-date=2020-12-12|website=archive.indianexpress.com|archive-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929122730/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/politics-here-is-spelt-with-a-capital--c-/292166/|url-status=live}}</ref> Navin is married to Veena Ramgoolam.<ref name="gov">{{cite news|url=http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/AssemblySite/menuitem.3bef52ce598560451251701065c521ca/?content_id=81f69da824b08010VgnVCM100000ca6a12acRCRD|title=Bio-data of Dr The Honourable Navinchandra Ramgoolam|publisher=Government of Mauritius|access-date=23 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115173753/http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/AssemblySite/menuitem.3bef52ce598560451251701065c521ca/?content_id=81f69da824b08010VgnVCM100000ca6a12acRCRD|archive-date=15 November 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He attended the [[Royal College Curepipe]] from 1960 to 1966 and proceeded to study medicine in Ireland between 1968 and 1975, where he obtained the [[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery#Ireland|LRCP&SI]] licentiates from the [[Royal College of Physicians of Ireland]] and the [[Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland]].
Navin Ramgoolam was born on 14 July 1947 to [[Seewoosagur Ramgoolam]] (SSR) and [[Sushil Ramgoolam|Sushil Ramjoorawon]] in [[Port Louis]]. SSR was the 6th [[Governor-General of Mauritius|governor general]] of Mauritius, as well as the first [[chief minister]] and prime minister of Mauritius. In the 1800s, his ancestors migrated to Mauritius from Harigaon in the [[Bhojpur district, India|Bhojpur district]], [[Bihar]]. Immigration records indicate that they belonged to the [[Kurmi]] or the [[Koeri]] caste.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Politics here is spelt with a capital 'C' Indian Express|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/politics-here-is-spelt-with-a-capital--c-/292166/|access-date=12 December 2020|website=archive.indianexpress.com|archive-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929122730/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/politics-here-is-spelt-with-a-capital--c-/292166/|url-status=live}}</ref>


Ramgoolam attended the [[Royal College Curepipe]] from 1960 to 1966 and then studied medicine in Ireland between 1968 and 1975, where he obtained the [[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery#Ireland|LRCP&SI]] from the [[Royal College of Physicians of Ireland]] and the [[Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland]].{{cn|date=December 2024}}
When his father SSR died in December 1985, Ramgoolam was on the point of immigrating to Canada when Sir [[Satcam Boolell]] (then leader of Labour Party) and [[Paul Berenger]] (the leader of the [[Mauritian Militant Movement]]) convinced him to return assume the leadership of the Labour party with the objective of an alliance which would defeat [[Anerood Jugnauth]] in the general elections. He subsequently served as a medical doctor at Dr A.G Jeetoo Hospital in Mauritius from 1985 to 1987. In 1987, he started his law studies at [[London School of Economics|The London School of Economics and Political Science]], [[University of London]]. Upon completion of his [[Bachelor of Laws|LLB]] degree in 1990, he returned to Mauritius to face the electorate as the new leader of the Labour party in the [[1991 Mauritian general election|1991 general election]].
[[File:The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Mr. Navin Chandra Ramgoolam, on the sidelines of CHOGM 2009, in Port of Spain on November 27, 2009.jpg|thumb|Navin Ramgoolam with former Prime Minister of India [[Manmohan Singh]].]]
[[File:Navinchandra Ramgoolam with Obamas.jpg|thumb|Navin Ramgoolam with Obamas.]]


On 8 July 1979, Ramgoolam married Veena Brizmohun,<ref name="gov">{{cite news |title=Bio-data of Dr The Honourable Navinchandra Ramgoolam |url=http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/AssemblySite/menuitem.3bef52ce598560451251701065c521ca/?content_id=81f69da824b08010VgnVCM100000ca6a12acRCRD |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115173753/http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/AssemblySite/menuitem.3bef52ce598560451251701065c521ca/?content_id=81f69da824b08010VgnVCM100000ca6a12acRCRD |archive-date=15 November 2012 |access-date=23 December 2012 |publisher=Government of Mauritius }}</ref> a Mauritian who grew up in England and was studying social sciences at the University of London. The wedding ceremony, held at Cinema BDC in Quatre Bornes, was attended by [[Governor-General of Mauritius|Governor General]] [[Dayendranath Burrenchobay]], opposition leader [[Anerood Jugnauth]], and others. The newly-wed couple returned to London where Veena planned to complete her studies, and her husband wanted to specialise in cardiology.<ref>{{cite web |title=Il y a 38 ans le 8 juillet 1979: Navin Ramgoolam se marie (08-July-2017) |date=8 July 2017 |url=https://lexpress.mu/article/311436/il-y-38-ans-8-juillet-1979-navin-ramgoolam-marie |publisher=L'Express |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref>
==1991 elections and first candidacy==
{{Main|1991 Mauritian general election}}
The leadup to the general elections held in 1991 saw a realignment of the country's major political parties. The Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM), which had been the main opposition party, decided to contest the election as an ally of Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth's [[Militant Socialist Movement]] (MSM). Ramgoolam's Labour Party and Gaëtan Duval's [[Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate]] (PMSD), both of which had been allied with the MSM in [[1987 Mauritian general election|the previous election]], formed a separate alliance, along with the [[Rodrigues People's Organisation]] (OPR). A major campaign issue was the proposal of the MSM-MMM alliance to cut the country's ties with the [[British Monarchy]] and declare a republic with a [[President of Mauritius|President]] as head of state. Ramgoolam opposed this, arguing that the Presidential office would be too ceremonial, leaving all executive powers effectively in the hands of the Prime Minister.


Ramgoolam's early life was marked by significant personal and professional transitions. In December 1985, following the death of his father, [[Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam]], the first prime minister of Mauritius,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zuber |first1=David |title=Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (1900-1985) • |url=https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/people-global-african-history/seewoosagur-ramgoolam-1900-1985/ |access-date=17 November 2024 |date=4 April 2022}}</ref> Ramgoolam was on the verge of emigrating to Canada; however, he was persuaded by Sir [[Satcam Boolell]], then leader of the Labour Party, and [[Paul Bérenger]], leader of the Mauritian Militant Movement, to return to Mauritius. They encouraged him to assume the leadership of the [[Labour Party (Mauritius)|Labour Party]] with the aim of forming a political alliance to challenge [[Anerood Jugnauth]] in the upcoming general elections.
The election turned out to be a landslide for Jugnauth. The [[MSM/MMM]] alliance won 57 of the 62 directly elected seats. Of the 5 seats won by Ramgoolam's alliance, 2 were held by the OPR and 3 by his own Labour Party ([[Arvin Boolell]], [[Vasant Bunwaree]] and himself, being elected in constituency [[Constituencies of Mauritius|5, Triolet & Pamplemoussess]]). Following his defeat, he took leave as Leader of the Opposition and returned to London to complete his law vocational course at [[Inns of Court School of Law]]. He was called to United Kingdom Bar, [[Inner Temple]] in 1993.


During this period, Ramgoolam worked as a physician at Dr A.G. Jeetoo Hospital in Mauritius from 1985 to 1987. In 1987, he moved to the United Kingdom to pursue legal studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, part of the University of London. After completing his LLB degree in 1990, he returned to Mauritius and became the leader of the Labour Party, subsequently contesting the 1991 general election as its candidate.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ethan |first1=S. Ren Jehoiakim |title=Navin Ramgoolam |date=October 2011 |publisher=Volvpress |isbn=978-613-7-83168-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RabSygAACAAJ |access-date=17 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
In 1993, Prime Minister Jugnauth asked the [[Speaker (politics)|Speaker]] of the [[National Assembly of Mauritius|National Assembly]] to declare Ramgoolam's seat vacant as he had not attended Parliament for three consecutive moments. The Speaker referred the case to the [[Judiciary of Mauritius|Court]] but the Judge found that it was unconstitutional.


[[File:The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Mr. Navin Chandra Ramgoolam, on the sidelines of CHOGM 2009, in Port of Spain on November 27, 2009.jpg|thumb|Navin Ramgoolam with former prime minister of India [[Manmohan Singh]].]]
Shortly afterwards, Jugnauth dismissed Bérenger from the Cabinet after learning that Ramgoolam had hosted him at a private dinner at his Riverwalk residence. Bérenger and 10 MMM members joined Ramgoolam on the opposition benches. Although the MMM caucus was larger than the Labour Party caucus, he agreed to let Ramgoolam continue as Leader of the Opposition.
[[File:Navinchandra Ramgoolam with Obamas.jpg|thumb|Navin Ramgoolam with Obamas.]]

==Political career==


==1995 elections==
===1995 elections===
{{unsourced section|date=November 2024}}
{{Main|1995 Mauritian general election}}
{{Main|1995 Mauritian general election}}
The Labour Party and the MMM went on to forge an alliance to contest the [[1995 Mauritian general election|1995 elections]]. The alliance won all 60 directly elected seats from the mainland (with Labour taking 35 seats and the MMM 25). Ramgoolam became Prime Minister with Bérenger as his Deputy. The coalition soon fractured and Ramgoolam dismissed Bérenger in 1997. Bérenger then became Leader of the Opposition, while Ramgoolam formed a one-party government.
The Labour Party and the MMM went on to forge an alliance to contest the [[1995 Mauritian general election|1995 elections]]. The alliance won all 60 directly elected seats from the mainland (with Labour taking 35 seats and the MMM 25). Ramgoolam became prime minister with Bérenger as his deputy. The coalition soon fractured and Ramgoolam dismissed Bérenger in 1997. Bérenger then became leader of the opposition and Ramgoolam formed a one-party government.


==2000 elections==
===2000 elections===
{{Main|2000 Mauritian general election}}
{{Main|2000 Mauritian general election}}
{{unsourced section|date=November 2024}}
Jugnauth and Bérenger formed a new alliance to contest the [[2000 Mauritian general election|2000 elections]]. Part of the agreement was to allow Jugnauth to serve for the first three years of the five-year term, then resign to assume the Presidency and allow Bérenger to complete his unexpired term. Ramgoolam, for his part, formed an alliance with the [[Mauritian Party of Xavier-Luc Duval]] (PMXD), a breakaway from the PMSD led by [[Xavier-Luc Duval]], the son of Sir Gaëtan Duval. The MSM/MMM alliance won 54 of the 60 directly elected mainland seats. Ramgoolam, who had retained his own seat, became Leader of the Opposition.
Jugnauth and Bérenger formed a new alliance to contest the [[2000 Mauritian general election|2000 elections]]. Part of the agreement was to allow Jugnauth to serve for the first three years of the five-year term, then resign to assume the Presidency and allow Bérenger to complete his unexpired term. Ramgoolam, for his part, formed an alliance with the [[Mauritian Party of Xavier-Luc Duval]] (PMXD), a breakaway from the PMSD led by [[Xavier-Luc Duval]], the son of Sir Gaëtan Duval. The MSM/MMM alliance won 54 of the 60 directly elected mainland seats. Ramgoolam, who had retained his own seat, became leader of the opposition.


==2005 elections==
===2005 elections===
{{unsourced section|date=November 2024}}
{{Main|2005 Mauritian general election}}
His Alliance Social won the general elections against the MSM/MMM outgoing government. He was again appointed as prime minister with a majority of 38 out of 60 seats. His alliance also won the local/municipal elections in 2006 where the MSM/MMM was severely defeated. These consecutive defeats and internal instability caused the break-up of the MSM/MMM coalition.
His Alliance Social won the general elections against the MSM/MMM outgoing government. He was again appointed as prime minister with a majority of 38 out of 60 seats. His alliance also won the local/municipal elections in 2006 where the MSM/MMM was severely defeated. These consecutive defeats and internal instability caused the break-up of the MSM/MMM coalition.


As the MSM had more seats than the MMM and [[Pravind Jugnauth]] was not elected, [[Nando Bodha]] was appointed as Leader of the Opposition.
As the MSM had more seats than the MMM and [[Pravind Jugnauth]] was not elected, [[Nando Bodha]] was appointed as leader of the opposition.


==2010 elections==
===2010 elections===
{{unsourced section|date=November 2024}}
{{Main|2010 Mauritian general election}}
{{Main|2010 Mauritian general election}}
With the [[2010 Mauritian general election|2010 elections]] approaching, Ramgoolam decided in 2008 to support Jugnauth for re-election as President, to forestall a possible return by Jugnauth to parliamentary politics, where Ramgoolam viewed him as a potential threat. Jugnauth's condition for accepting the offer was an alliance between the Labour Party and the MSM. At Ramgoolam's insistence, the [[Alliance de L'Avenir]] also included the PMSD, into which the PMXD, and its leader, Xavier-Luc Duval, had merged; seven of the sixty parliamentary candidates would come from the PMSD).
With the [[2010 Mauritian general election|2010 elections]] approaching, Ramgoolam decided in 2008 to support Jugnauth for re-election as president, to forestall a possible return by Jugnauth to parliamentary politics, where Ramgoolam viewed him as a potential threat. Jugnauth's condition for accepting the offer was an alliance between the Labour Party and the MSM. At Ramgoolam's insistence, the [[Alliance de L'Avenir]] also included the PMSD, into which the PMXD, and its leader, Xavier-Luc Duval, had merged; seven of the sixty parliamentary candidates would come from the PMSD).


The Alliance de L'Avenir won 41 of the 60 directly elected seats. Ramgoolam remained Prime Minister and Pravind Jugnauth, son of Sir Anerood Jugnauth, became his Deputy. Following the involvement of some members of the MSM in the Medpoint Scandal, however, Ramgoolam dismissed the MSM from the government.
The Alliance de L'Avenir won 41 of the 60 directly elected seats. Ramgoolam remained prime minister and Pravind Jugnauth, son of Sir Anerood Jugnauth, became his Deputy. Following the involvement of some members of the MSM in the Medpoint Scandal, however, Ramgoolam dismissed the MSM from the government.


==2014 elections==
===2014 elections===
{{unsourced section|date=November 2024}}
{{Main|2014 Mauritian general election}}
{{Main|2014 Mauritian general election}}
The [[2014 Mauritian general election|general elections]] originally scheduled for 2015 were brought forward to December 2014. The Labour Party made a new alliance with the MMM, proposing a constitutional amendment to upgrade the Presidency to a less ceremonial role. Ramgoolam and Bérenger, the MMM leader, claimed that the election was a referendum on the proposal, which they called the Second Republic. If the alliance won more than 45 of the 60 directly elected mainland seats, the Constitution would be amended; Ramgoolam would run for the Presidency and Bérenger would succeed him as Prime Minister.
The [[2014 Mauritian general election|general elections]] originally scheduled for 2015 were brought forward to December 2014. The Labour Party made a new alliance with the MMM, proposing a constitutional amendment to upgrade the presidency to a less ceremonial role. Ramgoolam and Bérenger, the MMM leader, claimed that the election was a referendum on the proposal, which they called the Second Republic. If the alliance won more than 45 of the 60 directly elected mainland seats, the Constitution would be amended; Ramgoolam would run for the presidency and Bérenger would succeed him as prime minister.


Ramgoolam and Berenger were opposed by the MSM-led Alliance Lepep, which also included the PMSD, which had been Ramgoolam's coalition partner, and a new party called [[Muvman Liberater]], formed by a significant portion of ex-members of the MMM who were opposed to the idea of giving Ramgoolam more powers . The Alliance Lepep, which opposed the proposal for the Second Republic, won 47 seats out of 60. The Labour-MMM alliance won only 13 seats, 9 from the MMM and 4 from the Labour Party. Ramgoolam lost his seat for the first time in his political career. On 12 December 2014, he resigned as Prime Minister of Mauritius.+
Ramgoolam and Berenger were opposed by the MSM-led Alliance Lepep, which also included the PMSD, which had been Ramgoolam's coalition partner, and a new party called [[Muvman Liberater]], formed by a significant portion of ex-members of the MMM who were opposed to the idea of giving Ramgoolam more powers. The Alliance Lepep, which opposed the proposal for the Second Republic, won 47 seats out of 60. The Labour-MMM alliance won only 13 seats, 9 from the MMM and 4 from the Labour Party. Ramgoolam lost his seat for the first time in his political career. On 12 December 2014, he resigned as Prime Minister of Mauritius. He was so disgruntled about the loss of his seat in 2014 that, 3 years later, at a Divali Show event in 2017 he called voters of [[Constituencies of Mauritius|Constituency No.5 Triolet]] "stupid" and that they were better voters during the days when illiteracy was rampant in Mauritius, given that they were easier to manipulate. Ramgoolam compared his 2014 electoral wipe out to that of his father [[Seewoosagur Ramgoolam]] at the [[1982 Mauritian general election]]. He also revealed that there was too much infighting amongst the political agents within the Labour Party.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sumeet |first1=Mudhoo |title=Navin Ramgoolam règle ses comptes avec Triolet 19 October 2017 |date=19 October 2017 |url=https://lexpress.mu/s/article/318816/navin-ramgoolam-regle-comptes-triolet |publisher=L'Express |access-date=25 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Politique: Navin Ramgoolam ne ménage pas les habitants de Triolet 20 October 2017 |date=20 October 2017 |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/le-mauricien/politique-navin-ramgoolam-ne-menage-pas-les-habitants-triolet/159633/ |publisher=Le Mauricien |access-date=25 November 2024}}</ref>


===2019 elections===
==Controversies==
{{Main|2019 Mauritian general election}}
Although he was not elected at the 2014 elections in Constituency No.5 Triolet, Ramgoolam retained leadership of the Labour Party and again presented himself as the party's leader at the November 2019 elections. Before the elections he made a coalition with the [[Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate]] and ''Mouvement Jean-Claude Barbier'' which became known as ''Alliance Nationale''. Instead of choosing Constituency No.5 Triolet, this time Ramgoolam stood as candidate in [[Constituencies of Mauritius|Constituency No.10 Montagne Blanche and Grand River South East]]. He revealed that his change of constituency was the result of a consultation that he had with a Christian priest who believed that Constituency No.10 would bring him more luck as his grand parents lived there, and that Constituency No.5 Triolet brought him bad luck as his father Seewoosagur was cremated there. However, once again Ramgoolam was not elected to the National Assembly. He was so disgruntled by his second consecutive defeat at the 2014 and 2019 general elections that he publicly blamed women for their way of voting, he also legally contested the results and made the Electoral Commissioner (Irfan Raman) his main target of legal action.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Luckoo |first1=Priya |title=Ramgoolam: «Bann madam pa konn voté»08 March 2020 |date=8 March 2020 |url=https://lexpress.mu/s/article/371848/ramgoolam-bann-madam-pa-konn-vote |publisher=L'Express |access-date=19 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ahmed Khan |first1=Iqbal |title=Election petitions: why Navin Ramgoolam and Suren Dayal were fighting two different issues? 12 December 2022 |date=12 December 2022 |url=https://lexpress.mu/s/article/416717/election-petitions-why-navin-ramgoolam-and-suren-dayal-were-fighting-two-different |publisher=L'Express |access-date=19 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ramdin |first1=Al Khizr |title=Ramgoolam révèle que c'est un «prêtre» qui lui a conseillé de se porter candidat au no 10 |url=https://defimedia.info/ramgoolam-revele-que-cest-un-pretre-qui-lui-conseille-de-se-porter-candidat-au-no-10 |publisher=Defimedia |access-date=19 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ramgoolam explique pourquoi il est candidat au n°10 21-Oct-2019 |date=21 October 2019 |url=https://lexpress.mu/s/article/363393/ramgoolam-explique-pourquoi-il-est-candidat-au-ndeg10 |publisher=L'Express |access-date=19 November 2024}}</ref>

===2024 elections===
{{Main|2024 Mauritian general election}}
The general election was scheduled on 10 November 2024, where the [[Labour Party (Mauritius)|Labour Party]] together with the [[Mauritian Militant Movement|MMM]], [[Nouveau Démocrate (Mauritius)|Nouveau Démocrate]] and [[Rezistans ek Alternativ (Mauritius)|Rezistans ek Alternativ]] formed the "[[Alliance du Changement|Alliance du changement]]", to oppose the "[[Alliance Lepep]]" which composed of the MSM, Muvman Liberater and the PMSD. The Alliance du changement won the general election with a 60–0 in its favour.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mauritius's opposition coalition wins legislative election |url=https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202411/12/WS6732b454a310f1265a1ccd11.html |access-date=12 November 2024 |work=global.chinadaily.com.cn}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Mohabuth |first1=Yasine |last2=Kupemba |first2=Danai |title=Mauritius government suffers electoral wipeout |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y3pg0ey99o |publisher=BBC |access-date=18 November 2024}}</ref>

==Political views==
Ramgoolam has criticised the agreement negotiated by the government of Prime Minister [[Pravind Jugnauth]] with the United Kingdom in 2024 that allowed for the return of the [[Chagos Archipelago]] to Mauritian control, describing it as a "sellout". After being elected as prime minister later that year, Ramgoolam ordered an independent review of the agreement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mauritius prime minister wants Chagos Islands deal with UK reviewed |url=https://www.africanews.com/2024/11/30/mauritius-prime-minister-wants-chagos-islands-deal-with-uk-reviewed/ |publisher=Africanews |access-date=30 November 2024}}</ref>

== Controversies, scandals and legal issues ==


===1978 arrest by British police===
===1978 arrest by British police===
Navin Ramgoolam was arrested in the UK on 24 May 1978 in Wardour Street, Soho, London according to records of the Foreign Colonial Office (FCO). He was a student at University College London (UCL). British Police noticed Navin Ramgoolam driving dangerously as he committed a number of offences such as driving through a red traffic light, and performing an illegal u-turn where it was prohibited. Although he was not entitled to Diplomatic Immunity Navin Ramgoolam attempted to claim such protection after refusing to provide a breath specimen. When Navin Ramgoolam was subjected to a blood test the result was positive. As a result he was summoned for driving with excess alcohol in his blood, and was fined at Malborough Street Magistrate Court where he eventually pleaded guilty.<ref>{{cite web |title=Independent Mauritius 1968-2016 : The State, Nationhood, Realm Republic and Dynasties |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/week-end/independent-mauritius-1968-2016-state-nationhood-realm-republic-and-dynasties-0/6555/ |publisher=Le Mauricien |access-date=2016-03-06 |archive-date=11 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211042349/https://www.lemauricien.com/week-end/independent-mauritius-1968-2016-state-nationhood-realm-republic-and-dynasties-0/6555/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Navin Ramgoolam was arrested in the UK on 24 May 1978 in Wardour Street, Soho, London according to records of the Foreign Colonial Office (FCO). He was a student at University College London (UCL). British Police noticed Navin Ramgoolam driving dangerously as he committed a number of offences such as driving through a red traffic light, and performing an illegal u-turn where it was prohibited. Although he was not entitled to Diplomatic Immunity Navin Ramgoolam attempted to claim such protection after refusing to provide a breath specimen. When Navin Ramgoolam was subjected to a blood test the result was positive. As a result he was summoned for driving with excess alcohol in his blood, and was fined at Malborough Street Magistrate Court where he eventually pleaded guilty.<ref>{{cite web |title=Independent Mauritius 1968–2016 : The State, Nationhood, Realm Republic and Dynasties |date=6 March 2016 |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/week-end/independent-mauritius-1968-2016-state-nationhood-realm-republic-and-dynasties-0/6555/ |publisher=Le Mauricien |access-date=2016-03-06 |archive-date=11 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211042349/https://www.lemauricien.com/week-end/independent-mauritius-1968-2016-state-nationhood-realm-republic-and-dynasties-0/6555/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


===1997 Albion Gate Macarena Party===
===1997 Albion Gate Macarena Party===
In March 1997 local residents of Albion village complained to the police about a noisy party held at a [[Labour Party (Mauritius)|Labour Party]] political activist's bungalow. Several young women and even an under-age girl had been invited to the ''Macarena Private Party'' by the activist and they had to dance and undress to the tunes of Los Del Rio's song "Macarena". One woman escaped from the bungalow where former Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and his close associates former MP Iqbal Mallam-Hassam, [[Air Mauritius]] executive Nash Mallam-Hassam, and optician Farouk Hossen were also partying and drinking heavily. A few days later [[Ajay Daby]], the lawyer who later represented the young women, brandished a black underwear at a public meeting, claiming that it belonged to a well known politician and that it had been recovered on Albion beach. Los Del Rio's song "Macarena" was subjected to a ban by the state's radio station [[Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation|MBC]] following Navin Ramgoolam's orders. Within three months the Labour-MMM coalition collapsed. The scandal was also known as ''Albion Gate'' and ''Affaire Macarena'' by the local press.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cela fait tout juste 15 ans: L'Affaire Macarena Party |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/politique/cela-fait-tout-juste-15-ans-laffaire-macarena-party/124651/ |website=www.lemauricien.com |date=15 April 2012 |publisher=Le Mauricien |access-date=23 October 2022 |archive-date=23 October 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023105403/https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/politique/cela-fait-tout-juste-15-ans-laffaire-macarena-party/124651/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Dans la presse le 9 avril |url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/304237/dans-presse-9-avril |publisher=L'Express |access-date=2017-04-09 |archive-date=23 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023105408/https://www.lexpress.mu/article/304237/dans-presse-9-avril |url-status=live }}</ref>
In March 1997 local residents of Albion village complained to the police about a noisy party held at a [[Labour Party (Mauritius)|Labour Party]] political activist's bungalow. Several young women and even an under-age girl had been invited to the ''Macarena Private Party'' by the activist and they had to dance and undress to the tunes of Los Del Rio's song "Macarena". One woman escaped from the bungalow where former Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and his close associates former MP Iqbal Mallam-Hassam, [[Air Mauritius]] executive Nash Mallam-Hassam, and optician Farouk Hossen were also partying and drinking heavily. A few days later [[Ajay Daby]], the lawyer who later represented the young women, brandished a black underwear at a public meeting, claiming that it belonged to a well known politician and that it had been recovered on Albion beach. Los Del Rio's song "Macarena" was subjected to a ban by the state's radio station [[Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation|MBC]] following Navin Ramgoolam's orders. Within three months the Labour-MMM coalition collapsed. The [[political scandal]] was also known as ''Albion Gate'' and ''Affaire Macarena'' by the local press.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cela fait tout juste 15 ans: L'Affaire Macarena Party |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/politique/cela-fait-tout-juste-15-ans-laffaire-macarena-party/124651/ |website=www.lemauricien.com |date=15 April 2012 |publisher=Le Mauricien |access-date=23 October 2022 |archive-date=23 October 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023105403/https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/politique/cela-fait-tout-juste-15-ans-laffaire-macarena-party/124651/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Dans la presse le 9 avril |date=9 April 2017 |url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/304237/dans-presse-9-avril |publisher=L'Express |access-date=2017-04-09 |archive-date=23 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023105408/https://www.lexpress.mu/article/304237/dans-presse-9-avril |url-status=live }}</ref>


===2009 Varma tax evasion and conflict of interest===
===2010 verbal abuse of Nita Deerpalsing===
In December 2009 Labour Party minister [[Vasant Bunwaree]] made revelations in parliament about [[Yatindra Nath Varma|Yatin Varma]], who was then a close associate and campaign manager of then Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam. Bunwaree revealed that Varma had been receiving additional income as the legal counsel of several [[State-owned enterprise|parastatal]] institutions although he was already being paid as a member of the National Assembly. Bunwaree added that Varma regularly emailed elected ministers which read ''«I would be grateful if you could kindly consider appointing me as legal advisor on a monthly basis to one of your institutions falling under your responsibility»''. Bunwaree also spoke about a well-known case of tax evasion involving Varma which had been known to members of the National Assembly. Despite all of Bunwaree's revelations, Navin Ramgoolam did not investigate or sanction Varma.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oodunt |first1=Sunil |title=Yatin Varma: reculer pour mieux sauter ! 30-January-2021 |date=30 January 2021 |url=https://lexpress.mu/article/388243/yatin-varma-reculer-pour-mieux-sauter |publisher=L'Express |access-date=4 November 2024}}</ref>
On the public holiday of the 1st of May 2010 during a public meeting of the Labour-MMM coalition ''Alliance de l’Avenir'' in Quatre-Bornes Navin Ramgoolam became frustrated about a defective microphone. He soon lost his temper and abused the Director of Communication of the [[Labour Party (Mauritius)]] Kumaree Rajeshree Deerpalsing, also known as [[Nita Deerpalsing]] by yelling ''Li pas marsé ta putain'' (meaning "It does not work, you slut".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Auckle |first1=Tejshree |title=Youth discourse in multilingual Mauritius: The pragmatic significance of swearing in multiple languages |journal=Stellenbosch Papers in Linguistics Plus (Spil Plus) |volume=51 |pages=61–86 |url=http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2224-33802017000100005 |publisher=University of Mauritius |access-date=2017-09-15 |archive-date=11 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211045752/http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2224-33802017000100005 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sandra Mayotte tacle Stéphanie Anquetil en citant les propos de Navin Ramgoolam à Nita Deerpalsing en mai 2010 |date=19 November 2021 |url=https://ionnews.mu/sandra-mayotte-tacle-stephanie-anquetil-en-citant-les-propos-de-navin-ramgoolam-a-nita-deerpalsing-en-mai-2010/ |publisher=Ion News |access-date=2021-11-19 |archive-date=11 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211042349/https://ionnews.mu/sandra-mayotte-tacle-stephanie-anquetil-en-citant-les-propos-de-navin-ramgoolam-a-nita-deerpalsing-en-mai-2010/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The abuse was broadcast live by other radio stations which were covering the event and was reproduced several times on social media as an example of Navin Ramgoolam's lack of respect for women.<ref>{{cite web |title=L'attaque du 1er Mai |url=https://www.5plus.mu/node/6481 |publisher=5Plus |access-date=2010-05-02 |archive-date=11 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211042407/https://www.5plus.mu/node/6481 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Meeting 1er mai : Nita Deerpalsing dit que le juron prononcé par Ramgoolam ne la visait pas |url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/meeting-1er-mai-nita-deerpalsing-dit-que-le-juron-prononc%C3%A9-par-ramgoolam-ne-la-visait-pas |publisher=L'Express |access-date=2010-05-02 |archive-date=11 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211042355/https://www.lexpress.mu/article/meeting-1er-mai-nita-deerpalsing-dit-que-le-juron-prononc%C3%A9-par-ramgoolam-ne-la-visait-pas |url-status=live }}</ref>


{{Unreliablesources|date=November 2024}}
===2014 London suitcase and Rolls-Royce RR10RAM===
After claiming to be visiting London for the tenth time to discuss a legal matter with British counsel Phillipe Sands, Navin Ramgoolam was spotted in his chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce bearing number plate ''RR10RAM'' as he carried a suitcase to a bank, where an attendant recognised and greeted him with "How are you Mr Banker?"<ref>{{cite web |title=Le Premier Ministre à Londres: Navin Ramgoolam, un citoyen comme un autre |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/societe/premier-ministre-londres-navin-ramgoolam-citoyen-comme-autre/71649/ |publisher=Le Mauricien |access-date=2014-04-13 |archive-date=11 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211043726/https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/societe/premier-ministre-londres-navin-ramgoolam-citoyen-comme-autre/71649/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Travel companion Jessica Weber===
===2014 Nandanee Soornack fleeing to Italy and daughter Xara Keiron Chandra ===
In March 2015, Chief Whip Mahen Jhugroo raised a question in the [[National Assembly (Mauritius)|National Assembly]] about Navin Ramgoolam's young travel companion Jessica Weber for whom the position of ''VIP Facilitation Organizer'' had been specifically created within the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) since 2013. Jessica Weber was recruited by Serge Petit, CEO of Airports of Mauritius Ltd (AML) without the board's approval. Although she benefitted from a government monthly salary of Rs 100,000, minister [[Xavier-Luc Duval]] discovered that there was no evidence of any events that she had organised, and there was no justification for her multiple trips with Navin Ramgoolam overseas.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jessica Weber: la demoiselle dans l'ombre de l'ex-PM |date=12 March 2015 |url=https://lexpress.mu/article/259763/jessica-weber-demoiselle-dans-lombre-lex-pm |publisher=L'Express |access-date=2015-03-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ENJEU : L'ombre de Ramgoolam sur les 100 jours de SAJ ! |date=15 March 2015 |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/politique/enjeu-lombre-ramgoolam-sur-les-100-jours-saj/40184/ |publisher=Le Mauricien |access-date=2015-03-15}}</ref>
Soon after the proclamation of the December 2014 general elections in Mauritius Nandanee Soornack (born Nandanee Oogarah), girlfriend and close associate of Navin Ramgoolam, fled to Italy with 12 suitcases. The former shop assistant and wife of a bus driver amassed substantial wealth and influence after becoming an activist of the [[Labour Party (Mauritius)|Parti Travailliste]] and received preferential treatment in large government contracts, especially in the tourism sector and airport facilities. Investigations showed that a number of offshore companies and bank accounts had been set up in order to channel funds out of Mauritius. Investigators in Mauritius attempted to deport her back to Mauritius. Nandanee Soornack attempted to silence newspapers ''Le Mauricien'' and ''La Sentinelle'' by applying for a Gagging Order. She revealed that Navin Ramgoolam is the father of her daughter Xara Keiron Chandra who was born in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Samoisy |first1=Laura |title=Nandanee Soornack en Italie: Elle dévoile la paternité de sa fille pour éviter la déportation |url=https://www.5plus.mu/faits-divers/nandanee-soornack-en-italie-elle-devoile-la-paternite-de-sa-fille-pour-eviter-la |publisher=5Plus |access-date=2015-12-15 |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313230239/https://www.5plus.mu/faits-divers/nandanee-soornack-en-italie-elle-devoile-la-paternite-de-sa-fille-pour-eviter-la |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wan |first1=James |title=Changing fortunes of Mauritius’ ousted leaders |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2015/3/17/changing-fortunes-of-mauritius-ousted-leaders |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=2015-03-17 |archive-date=7 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607221414/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2015/3/17/changing-fortunes-of-mauritius-ousted-leaders |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Moonien |first1=Vel |title=Scandale à la MDFP: Rakesh Gooljaury devra s’expliquer |url=https://lexpress.mu/article/259523/scandale-mdfp-rakesh-gooljaury-devra-sexpliquer |publisher=L'Express |access-date=2015-03-06 |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313230241/https://lexpress.mu/article/259523/scandale-mdfp-rakesh-gooljaury-devra-sexpliquer |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Révélations de Soornack |url=https://lexpress.mu/article/272893/revelations-soornack-beaucoup-mensonges |publisher=L'Express |access-date=2015-12-14 |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313230231/https://lexpress.mu/article/272893/revelations-soornack-beaucoup-mensonges |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Nandanee Soornack: Et elle se métamorphosa au contact de la politique |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/politique/nandanee-soornack-et-elle-se-metamorphosa-au-contact-la-politique/108762/ |publisher=Le Mauricien |access-date=2012-12-30 |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313230230/https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/politique/nandanee-soornack-et-elle-se-metamorphosa-au-contact-la-politique/108762/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


===2014 Nandanee Soornack fleeing to Italy and daughter Xara Keiron Chandra ===
===2015 arrest for conspiracy, money laundering & murder===
Soon after the proclamation of the December 2014 general elections in Mauritius Nandanee Soornack (born Nandanee Oogarah), girlfriend and close associate of Navin Ramgoolam, fled to Italy with 12 suitcases. The former shop assistant and wife of a bus driver amassed substantial wealth and influence after becoming an activist of the [[Labour Party (Mauritius)|Parti Travailliste]] and received preferential treatment in large government contracts, especially in the tourism sector and airport facilities. Investigations showed that a number of offshore companies and bank accounts had been set up in order to channel funds out of Mauritius. Investigators in Mauritius attempted to deport her back to Mauritius. Nandanee Soornack attempted to silence newspapers ''Le Mauricien'' and ''La Sentinelle'' by applying for a Gagging Order. She revealed that Navin Ramgoolam is the father of her daughter Xara Keiron Chandra who was born in 2009. Navin Ramgoolam's [[Legitimacy (family law)|illegitimate love child]] was mentioned during public gatherings, for example by Prime Minister [[Pravind Jugnauth]] on 19 August 2017 at the village of Circonstance in St Pierre.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moonien |first1=Vel |title=Scandale à la MDFP: Rakesh Gooljaury devra s'expliquer |date=6 March 2015 |url=https://lexpress.mu/article/259523/scandale-mdfp-rakesh-gooljaury-devra-sexpliquer |publisher=L'Express |access-date=2015-03-06 |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313230241/https://lexpress.mu/article/259523/scandale-mdfp-rakesh-gooljaury-devra-sexpliquer |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Révélations de Soornack |date=14 December 2015 |url=https://lexpress.mu/article/272893/revelations-soornack-beaucoup-mensonges |publisher=L'Express |access-date=2015-12-14 |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313230231/https://lexpress.mu/article/272893/revelations-soornack-beaucoup-mensonges |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Nandanee Soornack: Et elle se métamorphosa au contact de la politique |date=30 December 2012 |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/politique/nandanee-soornack-et-elle-se-metamorphosa-au-contact-la-politique/108762/ |publisher=Le Mauricien |access-date=2012-12-30 |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313230230/https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/politique/nandanee-soornack-et-elle-se-metamorphosa-au-contact-la-politique/108762/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Peerbaye |first1=Nafisah |title=Pravind Jugnauth : «Linn fer piti li pann decklaré 19-August-2017 |date=19 August 2017 |url=https://lexpress.mu/video/314427/pravind-jugnauth-linn-fer-piti-li-pann-decklare |publisher=L'Express |access-date=14 April 2024}}</ref>
In February 2015 Navin Ramgoolam was arrested for alleged conspiracy, money laundering and as part of a July 2011 robbery and murder case (''Affaire Roches-Noires'').<ref>{{cite web |title=Navingate: un épisode 2 sur Roches-Noires… |date=23 October 2019 |url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/363627/navingate-un-episode-2-sur-roches-noires |publisher=L'Express |access-date=2019-10-23 |archive-date=16 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016085116/https://www.lexpress.mu/article/363627/navingate-un-episode-2-sur-roches-noires |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gangaram |first1=Jean Marie |title=Affaire Roches-Noires |url=https://www.5plus.mu/actualite/affaire-roches-noires-0 |publisher=5 Plus |access-date=2015-01-18 |archive-date=25 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225184410/http://www.5plus.mu/actualite/affaire-roches-noires-0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Mohun |first1=Ledweena |title=Affaire Roches-Noires : Navin Ramgoolam et la mort d'Anand Ramdhony |url=https://defimedia.info/affaire-roches-noires-navin-ramgoolam-nie-toute-implication-dans-la-mort-danand-ramdhony |publisher=Defimedia |access-date=2018-06-23 |archive-date=23 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623144437/https://defimedia.info/affaire-roches-noires-navin-ramgoolam-nie-toute-implication-dans-la-mort-danand-ramdhony |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Peerbaye |first1=Nafiisah |title=Affaire Roches-Noires: Sooroojebally était présent le 3 juillet 2011 |date=29 November 2018 |url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/343700/affaire-roches-noires-sooroojebally-etait-present-3-juillet-2011 |publisher=L'Express |access-date=2018-11-29 |archive-date=16 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016083117/https://www.lexpress.mu/article/343700/affaire-roches-noires-sooroojebally-etait-present-3-juillet-2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Local police searched his home located at Riverwalk in Floréal and discovered safes and suitcases containing around $6.4 million in various foreign currencies, 9 exclusive American Express Black credit cards, as well as packets of Viagra sexual stimulant pills.<ref>{{cite web |title=Des allégations de blanchiment d'argent pèsent toujours sur Navin Ramgoolam |url=https://mopays.com/des-allegations-de-blanchiment-dargent-pesent-toujours-sur-navin-ramgoolam/ |publisher=MoPays |access-date=2019-04-02 |archive-date=16 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016083558/https://mopays.com/des-allegations-de-blanchiment-dargent-pesent-toujours-sur-navin-ramgoolam/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Découvrez en Exclusivité le Contenu Détaillé des Valises et Coffres-Forts de Navin Ramgoolam |url=https://business.mega.mu/2015/02/16/decouvrez-en-exclusivite-le-contenu-detaille-des-valises-et-coffres-forts-de-navin-ramgoolam/ |publisher=Business Mega |access-date=2015-02-16 |archive-date=16 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016083109/https://business.mega.mu/2015/02/16/decouvrez-en-exclusivite-le-contenu-detaille-des-valises-et-coffres-forts-de-navin-ramgoolam/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Coffres de Ramgoolam: Rs 800 M et des Dopants Sexuels… |url=https://business.mega.mu/2015/02/10/coffres-de-ramgoolam-rs-800-m-et-des-dopants-sexuels/ |publisher=Business Mega |access-date=2015-02-10 |archive-date=16 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016083108/https://business.mega.mu/2015/02/10/coffres-de-ramgoolam-rs-800-m-et-des-dopants-sexuels/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2015/3/17/changing-fortunes-of-mauritius-ousted-leaders|title=Mauritius politics|first=James|last=Wan|website=www.aljazeera.com|accessdate=7 June 2021|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607221414/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2015/3/17/changing-fortunes-of-mauritius-ousted-leaders|url-status=live}}</ref> He was later released and charges against him were dropped due to lack of sufficient evidence and the prosecution's delay in lodging the case.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://defimedia.info/preliminary-charges-dropped-against-navin-ramgoolam|title=Preliminary charges dropped against Navin Ramgoolam|website=Le Defi Media Group|accessdate=7 June 2021|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016083108/https://defimedia.info/preliminary-charges-dropped-against-navin-ramgoolam|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>https://supremecourt.govmu.org/HighlightDoc/prov%20information-%20N%20ramgooolam.pdf {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>


===2010 purchase of Rs 40 millions bungalow using Super Cash Back Gold funds===
===2010 - allegations of purchase===
In 2015 allegations were made by the Minister of Financial Services (Roshi Bhadain, who will soon kiss the hand of Pravind Jugnauth and who was also the destroyer of BAI in Mauritius) that in 2010 Navin Ramgoolam had contracted a loan of Rs 40 millions from Bramer Bank to purchase a bungalow at Roches Noires. Bramer Bank was then part of Dawood Rawat's British American Insurance (BAI) group of companies. Instructions were given by BAI's management to its subsidiary Bramer Bank that BAI will fully guarantee Navin Ramgoolam's Rs 40 millions loan, given that Dawood Rawat was Ramgoolam's close friend and major sponsor of his political campaigns. The Rs 40 millions came from a pension fund called ''Super Cash Back Gold'' which was administered by BAI. By 2015 BAI had collapsed, contributors to pension fund ''Super Cash Back Gold'' lost their pension funds, and as part of a bail-out Bramer Bank was replaced by the National Commercial Bank. However to this date Navin Ramgoolam has not repaid any of the Rs 40 millions that he had borrowed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bhadain: Le campement de Ramgoolam a été acheté avec l’argent de Super Cash Back Gold |url=https://ionnews.mu/bhadain-le-campement-de-ramgoolam-ete-achete-avec-largent-de-super-cashback-gold-1304/ |publisher=Ion News |access-date=2015-04-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Roches-Noires: Ramgoolam devra rembourser Rs 40 M à l’ex-Bramer Bank |url=https://lexpress.mu/article/268910/roches-noires-ramgoolam-devra-rembourser-rs-40-m-lex-bramer-bank |publisher=L'Express |access-date=2015-09-19}}</ref>
The former minister of financial services ([[Roshi Bhadain]]) revealed that in 2010 Navin Ramgoolam had contracted a loan of Rs 40 millions from Bramer Bank to purchase a bungalow at Roches Noires. Bramer Bank was then part of Dawood Rawat's British American Insurance (BAI) group of companies. Instructions were given by BAI's management to its subsidiary Bramer Bank that BAI will fully guarantee Navin Ramgoolam's Rs 40 millions loan, given that Dawood Rawat was Ramgoolam's close friend and major sponsor of his political campaigns. The Rs 40 millions came from a pension fund called ''Super Cash Back Gold'' which was administered by BAI. By 2015 BAI had collapsed, contributors to pension fund ''Super Cash Back Gold'' lost their pension funds, and as part of a bail-out Bramer Bank was replaced by the National Commercial Bank. However to this date Navin Ramgoolam has not repaid any of the Rs 40 millions that he had borrowed. A seizure order for the repossession of his unpaid debt is what prompted Navin Ramgoolam to sell the bungalow.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bhadain: Le campement de Ramgoolam a été acheté avec l'argent de Super Cash Back Gold |date=13 April 2015 |url=https://ionnews.mu/bhadain-le-campement-de-ramgoolam-ete-achete-avec-largent-de-super-cashback-gold-1304/ |publisher=Ion News |access-date=2015-04-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Roches-Noires: Ramgoolam devra rembourser Rs 40 M à l'ex-Bramer Bank |date=19 September 2015 |url=https://lexpress.mu/article/268910/roches-noires-ramgoolam-devra-rembourser-rs-40-m-lex-bramer-bank |publisher=L'Express |access-date=2015-09-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=St Pierre |first1=Patrick |title=Bhadain vs Ramgoolam Guerre Ouverte |date=30 August 2023 |url=https://lexpress.mu/node/526439 |publisher=L'Express |access-date=2023-08-30}}</ref>


==Awards and decorations==
==Awards and decorations==
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**[[File:Legion Honneur GO ribbon.svg|70px]] Grand Officer of the [[Legion of Honour|Order of Legion of Honour]]
**[[File:Legion Honneur GO ribbon.svg|70px]] Grand Officer of the [[Legion of Honour|Order of Legion of Honour]]
*{{flag|India}}:
*{{flag|India}}:
**Recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (2008)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://moia.gov.in/services.aspx?ID1=34&id=m2&idp=30&mainid=23|title=List of Previous Pravasi Bhartiya Samman|date=28 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228131301/http://moia.gov.in/services.aspx?ID1=34&id=m2&idp=30&mainid=23|accessdate=7 June 2021|archive-date=28 December 2014}}</ref>
**[[File:Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Ribbon.png|70px]] Recipient of the [[Pravasi Bharatiya Samman]] (2008)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://moia.gov.in/services.aspx?ID1=34&id=m2&idp=30&mainid=23|title=List of Previous Pravasi Bhartiya Samman|date=28 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228131301/http://moia.gov.in/services.aspx?ID1=34&id=m2&idp=30&mainid=23|accessdate=7 June 2021|archive-date=28 December 2014}}</ref>
*{{flag|Mauritius}}:
*{{flag|Mauritius}}:
**[[File:Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean - GCSK, GOSK, CSK (Mauritius) - ribbon bar.png|70px]] Grand Commander of the Most Distinguished [[Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean]] (2008)
**[[File:Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean - GCSK, GOSK, CSK (Mauritius) - ribbon bar.png|70px]] Grand Commander of the Most Distinguished [[Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean]] (2008)
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==Honours==
==Honours==
[[File:Prime Minister David Cameron with Prime Minister of Mauritius (7351065128).jpg|thumb|Navin Ramgoolam with former Prime Minister of United Kingdom, [[David Cameron]].]]
[[File:Prime Minister David Cameron with Prime Minister of Mauritius (7351065128).jpg|thumb|Navin Ramgoolam with former Prime Minister of United Kingdom, [[David Cameron]].]]
Ramgoolam has received several accolades and honours. In 1998 he was made an [[Honorary Fellow]] of the [[London School of Economics and Political Science]] (LSE), Dr Honoris Causa by the [[University of Mauritius]], Dr Honoris Causa from [[Aligarh Muslim University]], India and Dr Honoris Causa by the [[Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi|Jawaharlal Nehru University]], India in October 2005. Other awards he attained are the Grand Officier de la Legion d'Honneur from France in March 2006, the Honorary Freeman of Rodrigues from Rodrigues Regional Assembly in March 2007, The Wilberforce Medal from Wilberforce Lecture Trust, Hull, United Kingdom in June 2007, The Rajiv Gandhi Award from [[Mumbai Regional Congress Committee]], India in August 2007, The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from [[Government of India|Government of the Republic of India]] in January 2008 as well as Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK) from the [[Government of Mauritius|Government of the Republic of Mauritius]] in March 2008. In Paris, Ramgoolam received the Prix Louise Michel, awarded generally each year to a high personality in recognition of his or her outstanding contribution in the political field. He was made Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by the Padmashree Dr D. Y. Patil University, Mumbai, India in February 2009, [[Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians]] (FRCP) of the [[Royal College of Physicians]], London in May 2009, Honorary Doctor by [[Staffordshire University]], United Kingdom in July 2010, Order of the Rule of Law by the World Jurist Association, Bethesda, Maryland, USA in April 2011, Overseas Bencher by the Inner Temple, United Kingdom in April 2011 and Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) by the [[Kurukshetra University]], Haryana, India in February 2012.<ref name="Cur">{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/pmsite/menuitem.482a84fe37e55503040d013400b521ca/|title=CURRICULUM VITAE|publisher=[[Government of Mauritius]]|access-date=31 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317043451/http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/pmsite/menuitem.482a84fe37e55503040d013400b521ca|archive-date=17 March 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Ramgoolam has received several accolades and honours. In 1998 he was made an [[Honorary Fellow]] of the [[London School of Economics and Political Science]] (LSE), Dr Honoris Causa by the [[University of Mauritius]], Dr Honoris Causa from [[Aligarh Muslim University]], India and Dr Honoris Causa by the [[Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi|Jawaharlal Nehru University]], India in October 2005. Other awards he attained are the Grand Officier de la Legion d'Honneur from France in March 2006, the Honorary Freeman of Rodrigues from Rodrigues Regional Assembly in March 2007, The Wilberforce Medal from Wilberforce Lecture Trust, Hull, United Kingdom in June 2007, The Rajiv Gandhi Award from [[Mumbai Regional Congress Committee]], India in August 2007, The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from [[Government of India|Government of the Republic of India]] in January 2008 as well as Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK) from the [[Government of Mauritius|Government of the Republic of Mauritius]] in March 2008. In Paris, Ramgoolam received the Prix Louise Michel, awarded generally each year to a high personality in recognition of his or her outstanding contribution in the political field. He was made Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by the Padmashree Dr D. Y. Patil University, Mumbai, India in February 2009, [[Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians]] (FRCP) of the [[Royal College of Physicians]], London in May 2009, Honorary Doctor by [[Staffordshire University]], United Kingdom in July 2010, Order of the Rule of Law by the World Jurist Association, Bethesda, Maryland, USA in April 2011, Overseas Bencher by the Inner Temple, United Kingdom in April 2011 and Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) by the [[Kurukshetra University]], Haryana, India in February 2012.<ref name="Cur">{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/pmsite/menuitem.482a84fe37e55503040d013400b521ca/|title=CURRICULUM VITAE|publisher=[[Government of Mauritius]]|access-date=31 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317043451/http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/pmsite/menuitem.482a84fe37e55503040d013400b521ca|archive-date=17 March 2014}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of prime ministers of Mauritius]]
{{Portal|Biography|Africa}}
* [[Bihari Mauritians]]
* Veena Ramgoolam
* [[Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam]]
* [[Leader of the Opposition (Mauritius)]]
*[[Bihari Mauritians]]


==References==
==References==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Navin Ramgoolam}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{Facebook|DrNavinchandraRamgoolam}}
* {{Facebook|DrNavinchandraRamgoolam}}
* {{Instagram|navin_ramgoolam}}
* {{Instagram|ramgoolamgennext}}
* {{Twitter|DrRamgoolam}}
* {{Twitter|DrRamgoolam}}


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[[Category:Members of the National Assembly (Mauritius)]]
[[Category:Members of the National Assembly (Mauritius)]]
[[Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Prime Ministers of Mauritius]]
[[Category:Prime ministers of Mauritius]]
[[Category:Foreign Ministers of Mauritius]]
[[Category:Ministers of foreign affairs of Mauritius]]
[[Category:Ministers of Finance of Mauritius]]
[[Category:Ministers of finance of Mauritius]]
[[Category:Honorary Fellows of the London School of Economics]]
[[Category:Honorary Fellows of the London School of Economics]]
[[Category:Children of prime ministers]]
[[Category:Children of prime ministers]]
[[Category:Recipients of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman]]
[[Category:Recipients of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman]]
[[Category:Ramgoolam family]]

Latest revision as of 01:05, 1 January 2025

Navin Ramgoolam
Ramgoolam in 2018
3rd Prime Minister of Mauritius
Assumed office
13 November 2024
PresidentPrithvirajsing Roopun
Dharam Gokhool
Vice PresidentEddy Boissezon
Robert Hungley
DeputyPaul Berenger
Preceded byPravind Jugnauth
In office
5 July 2005 – 17 December 2014
President
Vice PresidentRaouf Bundhun
Angidi Chettiar
Monique Ohsan Bellepeau
DeputyRashid Beebeejaun
Preceded byPaul Bérenger
Succeeded byAnerood Jugnauth
In office
27 December 1995 – 11 September 2000
PresidentCassam Uteem
DeputyPaul Berenger
Kailash Purryag
Preceded byAnerood Jugnauth
Succeeded byAnerood Jugnauth
7th Leader of the Opposition
In office
11 September 2000 – 4 July 2005
Prime Minister
Preceded byPaul Berenger
Succeeded byPaul Bérenger
In office
15 September 1991 – 20 December 1995
Prime MinisterAnerood Jugnauth
Preceded byPrem Nababsing
Succeeded byNicholas
Personal details
Born
Navinchandra Ramgoolam

(1947-07-14) 14 July 1947 (age 77)
Port Louis, British Mauritius
Citizenship[citation needed]
Political partyLabour Party
SpouseVeena Ramgoolam (Brizmohun) (1979–present)
ChildrenXara Keiron Chandra Soornack (born 2009)[1][2]
Parents
Residence(s)Riverwalk, Floreal
Alma mater
ProfessionPolitician, physician
Signature

Navinchandra Ramgoolam (born 14 July 1947) is a Mauritian politician and physician serving as prime minister of Mauritius for the third time following the 2024 general election, after the landslide victory of his coalition Alliance du Changement.[3][4] He is a prominent figure in the political history of Mauritius, having served multiple terms as the Prime Minister of the country. He is also the leader of the Labour Party.[5]

Following former prime minister Pravind Jugnauth's resignation, Ramgoolam was sworn in as prime minister at the State House of Mauritius in the presence of President Prithvirajsing Roopun.[6][7]

Ramgoolam was prime minister for the first time from December 1995 until September 2000 and then became leader of the opposition again from October 2000 to 4 July 2005. On 5 July 2005, he became prime minister for a second term after his coalition, Alliance Sociale, won the general elections. He was re-elected prime minister in 2005, serving until 2014.[8]

Early life and education

Navin Ramgoolam was born on 14 July 1947 to Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) and Sushil Ramjoorawon in Port Louis. SSR was the 6th governor general of Mauritius, as well as the first chief minister and prime minister of Mauritius. In the 1800s, his ancestors migrated to Mauritius from Harigaon in the Bhojpur district, Bihar. Immigration records indicate that they belonged to the Kurmi or the Koeri caste.[9]

Ramgoolam attended the Royal College Curepipe from 1960 to 1966 and then studied medicine in Ireland between 1968 and 1975, where he obtained the LRCP&SI from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.[citation needed]

On 8 July 1979, Ramgoolam married Veena Brizmohun,[10] a Mauritian who grew up in England and was studying social sciences at the University of London. The wedding ceremony, held at Cinema BDC in Quatre Bornes, was attended by Governor General Dayendranath Burrenchobay, opposition leader Anerood Jugnauth, and others. The newly-wed couple returned to London where Veena planned to complete her studies, and her husband wanted to specialise in cardiology.[11]

Ramgoolam's early life was marked by significant personal and professional transitions. In December 1985, following the death of his father, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the first prime minister of Mauritius,[12] Ramgoolam was on the verge of emigrating to Canada; however, he was persuaded by Sir Satcam Boolell, then leader of the Labour Party, and Paul Bérenger, leader of the Mauritian Militant Movement, to return to Mauritius. They encouraged him to assume the leadership of the Labour Party with the aim of forming a political alliance to challenge Anerood Jugnauth in the upcoming general elections.

During this period, Ramgoolam worked as a physician at Dr A.G. Jeetoo Hospital in Mauritius from 1985 to 1987. In 1987, he moved to the United Kingdom to pursue legal studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, part of the University of London. After completing his LLB degree in 1990, he returned to Mauritius and became the leader of the Labour Party, subsequently contesting the 1991 general election as its candidate.[13]

Navin Ramgoolam with former prime minister of India Manmohan Singh.
Navin Ramgoolam with Obamas.

Political career

1995 elections

The Labour Party and the MMM went on to forge an alliance to contest the 1995 elections. The alliance won all 60 directly elected seats from the mainland (with Labour taking 35 seats and the MMM 25). Ramgoolam became prime minister with Bérenger as his deputy. The coalition soon fractured and Ramgoolam dismissed Bérenger in 1997. Bérenger then became leader of the opposition and Ramgoolam formed a one-party government.

2000 elections

Jugnauth and Bérenger formed a new alliance to contest the 2000 elections. Part of the agreement was to allow Jugnauth to serve for the first three years of the five-year term, then resign to assume the Presidency and allow Bérenger to complete his unexpired term. Ramgoolam, for his part, formed an alliance with the Mauritian Party of Xavier-Luc Duval (PMXD), a breakaway from the PMSD led by Xavier-Luc Duval, the son of Sir Gaëtan Duval. The MSM/MMM alliance won 54 of the 60 directly elected mainland seats. Ramgoolam, who had retained his own seat, became leader of the opposition.

2005 elections

His Alliance Social won the general elections against the MSM/MMM outgoing government. He was again appointed as prime minister with a majority of 38 out of 60 seats. His alliance also won the local/municipal elections in 2006 where the MSM/MMM was severely defeated. These consecutive defeats and internal instability caused the break-up of the MSM/MMM coalition.

As the MSM had more seats than the MMM and Pravind Jugnauth was not elected, Nando Bodha was appointed as leader of the opposition.

2010 elections

With the 2010 elections approaching, Ramgoolam decided in 2008 to support Jugnauth for re-election as president, to forestall a possible return by Jugnauth to parliamentary politics, where Ramgoolam viewed him as a potential threat. Jugnauth's condition for accepting the offer was an alliance between the Labour Party and the MSM. At Ramgoolam's insistence, the Alliance de L'Avenir also included the PMSD, into which the PMXD, and its leader, Xavier-Luc Duval, had merged; seven of the sixty parliamentary candidates would come from the PMSD).

The Alliance de L'Avenir won 41 of the 60 directly elected seats. Ramgoolam remained prime minister and Pravind Jugnauth, son of Sir Anerood Jugnauth, became his Deputy. Following the involvement of some members of the MSM in the Medpoint Scandal, however, Ramgoolam dismissed the MSM from the government.

2014 elections

The general elections originally scheduled for 2015 were brought forward to December 2014. The Labour Party made a new alliance with the MMM, proposing a constitutional amendment to upgrade the presidency to a less ceremonial role. Ramgoolam and Bérenger, the MMM leader, claimed that the election was a referendum on the proposal, which they called the Second Republic. If the alliance won more than 45 of the 60 directly elected mainland seats, the Constitution would be amended; Ramgoolam would run for the presidency and Bérenger would succeed him as prime minister.

Ramgoolam and Berenger were opposed by the MSM-led Alliance Lepep, which also included the PMSD, which had been Ramgoolam's coalition partner, and a new party called Muvman Liberater, formed by a significant portion of ex-members of the MMM who were opposed to the idea of giving Ramgoolam more powers. The Alliance Lepep, which opposed the proposal for the Second Republic, won 47 seats out of 60. The Labour-MMM alliance won only 13 seats, 9 from the MMM and 4 from the Labour Party. Ramgoolam lost his seat for the first time in his political career. On 12 December 2014, he resigned as Prime Minister of Mauritius. He was so disgruntled about the loss of his seat in 2014 that, 3 years later, at a Divali Show event in 2017 he called voters of Constituency No.5 Triolet "stupid" and that they were better voters during the days when illiteracy was rampant in Mauritius, given that they were easier to manipulate. Ramgoolam compared his 2014 electoral wipe out to that of his father Seewoosagur Ramgoolam at the 1982 Mauritian general election. He also revealed that there was too much infighting amongst the political agents within the Labour Party.[14][15]

2019 elections

Although he was not elected at the 2014 elections in Constituency No.5 Triolet, Ramgoolam retained leadership of the Labour Party and again presented himself as the party's leader at the November 2019 elections. Before the elections he made a coalition with the Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate and Mouvement Jean-Claude Barbier which became known as Alliance Nationale. Instead of choosing Constituency No.5 Triolet, this time Ramgoolam stood as candidate in Constituency No.10 Montagne Blanche and Grand River South East. He revealed that his change of constituency was the result of a consultation that he had with a Christian priest who believed that Constituency No.10 would bring him more luck as his grand parents lived there, and that Constituency No.5 Triolet brought him bad luck as his father Seewoosagur was cremated there. However, once again Ramgoolam was not elected to the National Assembly. He was so disgruntled by his second consecutive defeat at the 2014 and 2019 general elections that he publicly blamed women for their way of voting, he also legally contested the results and made the Electoral Commissioner (Irfan Raman) his main target of legal action.[16][17][18][19]

2024 elections

The general election was scheduled on 10 November 2024, where the Labour Party together with the MMM, Nouveau Démocrate and Rezistans ek Alternativ formed the "Alliance du changement", to oppose the "Alliance Lepep" which composed of the MSM, Muvman Liberater and the PMSD. The Alliance du changement won the general election with a 60–0 in its favour.[20][21]

Political views

Ramgoolam has criticised the agreement negotiated by the government of Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth with the United Kingdom in 2024 that allowed for the return of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritian control, describing it as a "sellout". After being elected as prime minister later that year, Ramgoolam ordered an independent review of the agreement.[22]

1978 arrest by British police

Navin Ramgoolam was arrested in the UK on 24 May 1978 in Wardour Street, Soho, London according to records of the Foreign Colonial Office (FCO). He was a student at University College London (UCL). British Police noticed Navin Ramgoolam driving dangerously as he committed a number of offences such as driving through a red traffic light, and performing an illegal u-turn where it was prohibited. Although he was not entitled to Diplomatic Immunity Navin Ramgoolam attempted to claim such protection after refusing to provide a breath specimen. When Navin Ramgoolam was subjected to a blood test the result was positive. As a result he was summoned for driving with excess alcohol in his blood, and was fined at Malborough Street Magistrate Court where he eventually pleaded guilty.[23]

1997 Albion Gate Macarena Party

In March 1997 local residents of Albion village complained to the police about a noisy party held at a Labour Party political activist's bungalow. Several young women and even an under-age girl had been invited to the Macarena Private Party by the activist and they had to dance and undress to the tunes of Los Del Rio's song "Macarena". One woman escaped from the bungalow where former Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and his close associates former MP Iqbal Mallam-Hassam, Air Mauritius executive Nash Mallam-Hassam, and optician Farouk Hossen were also partying and drinking heavily. A few days later Ajay Daby, the lawyer who later represented the young women, brandished a black underwear at a public meeting, claiming that it belonged to a well known politician and that it had been recovered on Albion beach. Los Del Rio's song "Macarena" was subjected to a ban by the state's radio station MBC following Navin Ramgoolam's orders. Within three months the Labour-MMM coalition collapsed. The political scandal was also known as Albion Gate and Affaire Macarena by the local press.[24][25]

2009 Varma tax evasion and conflict of interest

In December 2009 Labour Party minister Vasant Bunwaree made revelations in parliament about Yatin Varma, who was then a close associate and campaign manager of then Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam. Bunwaree revealed that Varma had been receiving additional income as the legal counsel of several parastatal institutions although he was already being paid as a member of the National Assembly. Bunwaree added that Varma regularly emailed elected ministers which read «I would be grateful if you could kindly consider appointing me as legal advisor on a monthly basis to one of your institutions falling under your responsibility». Bunwaree also spoke about a well-known case of tax evasion involving Varma which had been known to members of the National Assembly. Despite all of Bunwaree's revelations, Navin Ramgoolam did not investigate or sanction Varma.[26]

Travel companion Jessica Weber

In March 2015, Chief Whip Mahen Jhugroo raised a question in the National Assembly about Navin Ramgoolam's young travel companion Jessica Weber for whom the position of VIP Facilitation Organizer had been specifically created within the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) since 2013. Jessica Weber was recruited by Serge Petit, CEO of Airports of Mauritius Ltd (AML) without the board's approval. Although she benefitted from a government monthly salary of Rs 100,000, minister Xavier-Luc Duval discovered that there was no evidence of any events that she had organised, and there was no justification for her multiple trips with Navin Ramgoolam overseas.[27][28]

2014 Nandanee Soornack fleeing to Italy and daughter Xara Keiron Chandra

Soon after the proclamation of the December 2014 general elections in Mauritius Nandanee Soornack (born Nandanee Oogarah), girlfriend and close associate of Navin Ramgoolam, fled to Italy with 12 suitcases. The former shop assistant and wife of a bus driver amassed substantial wealth and influence after becoming an activist of the Parti Travailliste and received preferential treatment in large government contracts, especially in the tourism sector and airport facilities. Investigations showed that a number of offshore companies and bank accounts had been set up in order to channel funds out of Mauritius. Investigators in Mauritius attempted to deport her back to Mauritius. Nandanee Soornack attempted to silence newspapers Le Mauricien and La Sentinelle by applying for a Gagging Order. She revealed that Navin Ramgoolam is the father of her daughter Xara Keiron Chandra who was born in 2009. Navin Ramgoolam's illegitimate love child was mentioned during public gatherings, for example by Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on 19 August 2017 at the village of Circonstance in St Pierre.[29][30][31][32]

2010 purchase of Rs 40 millions bungalow using Super Cash Back Gold funds

The former minister of financial services (Roshi Bhadain) revealed that in 2010 Navin Ramgoolam had contracted a loan of Rs 40 millions from Bramer Bank to purchase a bungalow at Roches Noires. Bramer Bank was then part of Dawood Rawat's British American Insurance (BAI) group of companies. Instructions were given by BAI's management to its subsidiary Bramer Bank that BAI will fully guarantee Navin Ramgoolam's Rs 40 millions loan, given that Dawood Rawat was Ramgoolam's close friend and major sponsor of his political campaigns. The Rs 40 millions came from a pension fund called Super Cash Back Gold which was administered by BAI. By 2015 BAI had collapsed, contributors to pension fund Super Cash Back Gold lost their pension funds, and as part of a bail-out Bramer Bank was replaced by the National Commercial Bank. However to this date Navin Ramgoolam has not repaid any of the Rs 40 millions that he had borrowed. A seizure order for the repossession of his unpaid debt is what prompted Navin Ramgoolam to sell the bungalow.[33][34][35]

Awards and decorations

Ramgoolam receives Pravasi Bharatiya Samman from President of India in 2008

Honours

Navin Ramgoolam with former Prime Minister of United Kingdom, David Cameron.

Ramgoolam has received several accolades and honours. In 1998 he was made an Honorary Fellow of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Dr Honoris Causa by the University of Mauritius, Dr Honoris Causa from Aligarh Muslim University, India and Dr Honoris Causa by the Jawaharlal Nehru University, India in October 2005. Other awards he attained are the Grand Officier de la Legion d'Honneur from France in March 2006, the Honorary Freeman of Rodrigues from Rodrigues Regional Assembly in March 2007, The Wilberforce Medal from Wilberforce Lecture Trust, Hull, United Kingdom in June 2007, The Rajiv Gandhi Award from Mumbai Regional Congress Committee, India in August 2007, The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from Government of the Republic of India in January 2008 as well as Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK) from the Government of the Republic of Mauritius in March 2008. In Paris, Ramgoolam received the Prix Louise Michel, awarded generally each year to a high personality in recognition of his or her outstanding contribution in the political field. He was made Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by the Padmashree Dr D. Y. Patil University, Mumbai, India in February 2009, Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP) of the Royal College of Physicians, London in May 2009, Honorary Doctor by Staffordshire University, United Kingdom in July 2010, Order of the Rule of Law by the World Jurist Association, Bethesda, Maryland, USA in April 2011, Overseas Bencher by the Inner Temple, United Kingdom in April 2011 and Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) by the Kurukshetra University, Haryana, India in February 2012.[37]

See also

References

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Political offices
Preceded by Prime Minister of Mauritius
1995–2000
Succeeded by
Preceded by Prime Minister of Mauritius
2005–2015