6 Oct 2004

Fiji prime minister advises Labour Party to dump Mahendra Chaudhry

11:47 am on 6 October 2004

Fiji's prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, has called on members of the Labour Party to change their leader, Mahendra Chaudhry.

Mr Qarase told Radio Legend this morning that it is time Labour members assess Mr Chaudhry's style of leadership.

He says the continuous confrontational approach by Mr Chaudhry is resulting in a number of unresolved national issues which could be sorted out by another leader who is more understanding.

Mr Qarase says "it is common knowledge that members of the Labour Party are not happy with their leader but they haven't got the guts to stand up to him and tell him that he is taking the party in the wrong direction."

Mr Qarase says it is very difficult to work with Mr Chaudhry and has highlighted the multi-party cabinet issue and the boycott of the national reconciliation and forgiveness week as examples.