TIM – In search of effectiveness

According to its national president, Mr. Andrianantoandro Raharinaivo, TIM’s priority is, first and foremost, the establishment of a solid base over the entire national territory.
TIM, as you may recall, is the party founded by President Ravalomanana.
Mr. Raharinaivo has finally broken his silence, just as criticism directed at the latest addition to Madagascar’s political arena explodes.
Generally, the politicians, and the so-called political allies of TIM, have been, in fact, accusing the party of espousing the same practices as AREMA, former dictator Didier Ratsiraka’s party; naturally, Mr. Raharinaivo, TIM’s national president, has vehemently denied these allegations.

During an interview with Antsiva radio station, Mr. Raharinaivo maintained, “Is it so unusual if, like all of the other political parties, TIM tries to establish itself over the entire national territory?”
It should be noted that, although this radio station belongs GRAD party founder, Mr. Rabetsitonta, a member of President Ravalomanana’s inner circle, it does not pull any punches when it comes to criticizing the new leadership.
According to the national party president, TIM is currently represented in every district of the Great Island.
Knowing that, since the December 2001 presidential election, TIM, as an association, already had members all the way down to the district level, he explained, “All we need to do is formalize the existence of these grass root establishments at the district level.”
Historically, very few Malagasy parties have managed to penetrate all the way down to the districts.
At best, the majority may have made it down to the municipalities.

It is a known fact that TIM’s ultimate objective, following the upcoming general election, is to win as many parliamentary seats as possible, for an absolute majority within the National Assembly.
Mr. Raharinaivo claims that he does not know when the pre-scheduled general elections will be held, but he is urging the members of his party to be prepared.
He intimated that the first TIM convention will take place some time in October.

To answer his main critics, the national party president pointed out that admission into TIM is by sponsorship only.
Logically, this should prevent membership through coercion, which used to be the case in the past, especially for government officials.
Moreover, party ethical standards dictate that members, who are guilty of abuse, can be expelled.

Translated by J. F. Razanamiadana