Pramod Chand, the President of the National Federation Party, has strongly criticized former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, accusing him of lacking political integrity and having a tarnished reputation. In his statement, Chand suggested that Chaudhry is delusional and rapidly losing touch with political reality, as evidenced by his misleading comments during the Fiji Labour Party’s Annual Delegates Conference in Nadi.
Chand took issue with Chaudhry’s allegations that the current Coalition Government is self-serving and lacking in integrity, claiming they ignore critical issues affecting the populace and are engulfed in crises and scandals. He pointed out that Chaudhry himself is not in a position to speak on accountability or transparency, given his past conviction for financial impropriety, which resulted in a $1 million fine for concealing AUD 1.5 million in foreign bank accounts.
Furthermore, Chand accused Chaudhry of exploiting the sugar industry for personal gain, stating that his support for the establishment of a refugee camp in Valelawa only benefited himself and his family, causing harm to local cane growers instead. He labeled these actions as deceitful and corrupt, arguing that a true leader would not resort to fabricating stories for political gain.
Chand also emphasized Chaudhry’s past misuse of taxpayer funds during his brief premiership, where he allegedly used public money to renovate his house. Additionally, he referenced Chaudhry’s controversial statements as Finance Minister after the 2006 coup, where he suggested that citizens must adapt to rising prices for essential goods.
In contrast, Chand asserted that the coalition government is working diligently to restore democracy, accountability, and good governance—principles that he claims were undermined during the period Chaudhry was part of the previous regime.
As a hopeful note, this exchange highlights the ongoing political discourse in Fiji, suggesting that the current leadership is committed to addressing past grievances and striving toward a more accountable governance structure. The dialogue indicates that political accountability remains a priority for current leaders, which could pave the way for positive reforms in the nation’s governance.
FijiLive has reached out to Chaudhry for his perspective on these allegations.
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