Chaudhry and Baba speak on the United Front

Publish date/time: 23/01/2013 [08:05]

Some years ago, it was almost unthinkable.

But now the Fiji Labour Party, SDL, United People’s Party and the National Federation Party who could not see eye to eye on a number of issues in the past which resulted in public disagreements are now working together.

Their group is known as the United Front for a Democratic Fiji.

In the past, parties like the SDL had even said publicly that they were diametrically opposed to the Labour Party when they were given the opportunity to form a multiparty cabinet but they later formed a cabinet minus Chaudhry.  

The FLP had joined the Commodore Bainimarama led government from 2007 to August 2008 and had rubbished parties like SDL then.

FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry said this about the leadership of the SDL and its leader Laisenia Qarase in June 2008.

Mahendra Chaudhry now said the United Front for a Democratic Fiji is just looking at common issues however this group may develop further as they come closer to the elections.

However, he started raising questions and making allegations against the media when Fijivillage asked Chaudhry the important question that many have been asking on how Chaudhry can work with the same people and parties who he could not work with before.

When contacted, United People’s Party leader Mick Beddoes only said that he is happy to support the statements made by the United Front for a Democratic Fiji.

Meanwhile, Doctor Tupeni Baba who is a spokesperson of the SDL said they are part of the United Front because the group has a common enemy.

When asked how he can work with the FLP leader who he has strongly opposed and criticized over the past years, he said it has to be done.

The National Federation Party will comment later.

Story by: Vijay Narayan & Akuila Cama