17 Sep 2003

Row in Fiji Labour Party over by-election candidacy

2:20 pm on 17 September 2003

A row has broken out in the Fiji Labour Party over its selection of a candidate for a by-election after the death of its Labasa MP, Mohammed Lateef Subedar, in July.

Mr Subedar's younger brother Mohammed Tazil Subedar, says Labour had promised him the Party ticket.

But when Labour announced that its by-election candidate would be Labsa lawyer Mohammed Rafiq, Mr Subedar accused the party of dirty tactics and back-stabbing him.

Mr Subedar it is an insult to his deceased brother's longtime loyalty to the party for many years and the assurances given to him by senior party officials.

Mr He says he will challenge the party candidate as an independent in the by-election to be held in December.

But Labour secretary, Lekh Ram Vyashnoi, says no promises were made and the party followed proper proceedures in selecting its candidate.

Meanwhile, Labour is also seeking a candidate for another by-election in Tavua where its MP, Pravin Chand, died in a motor accident two weeks ago.