Parmod Chand, the President of the National Federation Party (NFP), has unleashed a fierce critique of Fiji Labour Party (FLP) Leader Mahendra Chaudhry, labeling him a “shameless politician” and calling into question his integrity. This confrontation emerged after Chaudhry criticized the government’s announcement of a third cane payment of $12.23 per tonne for sugar cane growers, claiming that the NFP, alongside Finance Minister Biman Prasad, had disregarded a commitment made during the 2022 election to pay $110 per tonne.
In a direct challenge, Chand demanded that Chaudhry provide concrete evidence of the NFP’s promise during their election campaign. He described Chaudhry’s accusations as a desperate attempt to tarnish the NFP’s reputation, asserting, “This time, Chaudhry is doomed. Growers will not be fooled by his lies.” Notably, Chand reinforced the NFP’s historical commitment to supporting sugar cane growers, suggesting that Professor Prasad has continued this legacy through difficult times faced from 2014 to 2022 under previous governance.
Chand highlighted that cane growers received payments exceeding the former government’s guaranteed price of $85 per tonne. Specifically, he noted that payments were recorded at over $91 per tonne in 2023 and over $105 per tonne in 2024. He expressed confidence that the Coalition Government would uphold this trend, projecting payments would exceed $100 per tonne following the final harvest payment in October.
Additionally, Chand scrutinized Chaudhry’s past leadership, pointing out failures during his tenure as Prime Minister and deeming previous administrations responsible for the sugar industry’s struggles. He contrasted the current Coalition Government, led by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, with Chaudhry’s. Chand asserted that the current leadership respects and prioritizes the needs of growers.
This ongoing political discourse illustrates the deep-seated tensions in Fijian politics, with the NFP striving to rebuild trust in governance. The dialogue underscores an essential commitment to accountability and transparency—key elements for nurturing a robust political landscape in Fiji. This engagement between leaders represents a hopeful endeavor toward rectifying past grievances and fostering a more stable and principled political environment.
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