None of the former FijiFirst parliamentarians have shown an interest in joining the National Federation Party (NFP), according to party leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Biman Prasad.
When asked about whether any former FijiFirst MPs had approached the NFP following the deregistration of the FijiFirst party, Professor Prasad clarified that no such approach had been made. “I have not been approached by anyone to join NFP and I have not appointed anyone to join NFP,” he stated in Lautoka yesterday.
Professor Prasad noted that these former FijiFirst parliamentarians likely need time to decide their next steps. “I think they need time to think through. Some of them have already said they will remain as independent MPs, which is allowed when the party they contested for is deregistered. We will have to wait and see, and it is a matter entirely for them to decide and not for us to comment on.”
In response to a question about whether Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka had discussed with him the possibility of former FijiFirst MPs wanting to join the Coalition Government, Professor Prasad reiterated the strength and stability of their coalition. “As the Prime Minister said, there are chances and possibilities, and all I know is that our coalition is strong and it is going to be there until the next election.”