A potential defamation lawsuit may be imminent for former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry due to his accusations against Finance Minister Biman Prasad. This development follows Mr. Chaudhry’s call for the government to release comprehensive financial details regarding the 2023 Girmit celebrations.
Mr. Chaudhry criticized the finance minister, who is currently under investigation by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), for not providing a detailed account of the $500,000 budgeted for the Girmit events. He pointed out that nearly half of this amount was directed to a discredited organization led by the finance minister’s wife and a political associate at that time.
His remarks came in response to a lavish dinner at the Grand Pacific Hotel, hosted by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka for government ministers and their partners. Mr. Chaudhry also expressed concerns about government operational issues that he believes warrant public scrutiny.
He mentioned an alleged drug and sex scandal involving two ministers who remain in the cabinet. In response, Mr. Prasad strongly rebuked Mr. Chaudhry, labeling him a “crook” and a “compulsive liar,” and claimed he had hidden $2 million in Australia. He asserted that Mr. Chaudhry was misleading the public about the approval of Girmit funding, which he stated was divided into two components: the celebration and a conference.
Mr. Prasad indicated that he plans to take legal action against Mr. Chaudhry for defamation and falsehood.