ANEROOD JUGNAUTH

Anerood Jugnauth was born in Palma, Mauritius, into a Hindu Indo-Mauritian family that spoke Bhojpuri. His roots trace back to the Ahir Yadav community, with his grandfather having migrated from the Ballia District in Uttar Pradesh, India, in the 1870s. Raised in Palma, he completed his primary education at the local Palma Primary School and went on to attend Regent College for his secondary education. Initially, he worked as a teacher at New Eton College and later joined the Poor Law Department as a clerk, before transferring to the Judicial Department. In 1951, Jugnauth traveled to the United Kingdom to study law at Lincoln’s Inn, where he qualified as a lawyer in 1954.

Jugnauth's political journey began in 1957, when he was elected President of the Palma Village Council. His active involvement in local governance led to his election as a member of the Legislative Council in 1963, where he represented the Independent Forward Bloc (IFB) for the Riviere du Rempart constituency. In the years that followed, he played a pivotal role in the formation of the All Mauritius Hindu Congress in 1964 and held ministerial roles in Seewoosagur Ramgoolam’s government, serving as State Minister for Development and later as Minister of Labour. His participation in the London Constitutional Conference in 1965 was a significant moment in the country’s political history.

After a brief period away from active politics, during which he served as a magistrate, Jugnauth rejoined the political scene in 1970, when he became the leader of the newly formed Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM). He led the MMM in the 1976 elections, where his party secured the highest vote share but fell short of a majority. Despite the MMM’s loss in the 1976 elections, Jugnauth remained a formidable political figure and continued to challenge the government of the time.

In 1982, Jugnauth’s MMM, in alliance with the Parti Socialiste Mauricien (PSM), achieved a sweeping victory, securing all 60 seats in the National Assembly, with Jugnauth assuming the role of Prime Minister. The next few years were marked by strategic political maneuvers, including the creation of the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) in 1983 and alliances with various political factions. His leadership faced several challenges, including a fractured government and the dissolution of alliances, but Jugnauth’s resolve kept him at the forefront of Mauritian politics.

Jugnauth’s political career saw both triumphs and setbacks. His government’s tenure was interrupted by electoral defeats, but he remained a key figure in the political landscape. In 1995, after losing a confidence vote, he called for early elections, which saw the Labour Party-MMM alliance sweep into power. However, Jugnauth’s political journey was far from over. In the early 2000s, he returned to power through a historic power-sharing agreement with Paul Bérenger, which led to significant political reforms, including electoral system changes and the dismantling of media monopolies.

In 2003, Jugnauth transitioned from Prime Minister to President of Mauritius, marking a new chapter in his political career. During his presidency, he continued to influence national politics, stepping down in 2012 after a series of disagreements with government policies. However, his return to active politics in 2014, leading the "L'Alliance LEPEP" coalition, resulted in another decisive electoral victory, bringing him back as Prime Minister for a sixth term.

A key moment in Jugnauth’s career was his resignation in 2017, when he passed the mantle of leadership to his son, Pravind, marking a generational transition in Mauritian politics. His long career spanned various roles, from village councilor to prime minister, and he remained a significant figure in Mauritian politics until his passing in 2021 at the age of 91.

Throughout his political journey, Jugnauth was a controversial figure. He faced criticism for his handling of various scandals, including the Amsterdam Boys scandal and the "Sarojini Jugnauth" banknote issue. However, his strong stance on the Chagos Islands dispute and his commitment to Mauritius' territorial integrity remain notable aspects of his legacy.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anerood_Jugnauth