A war of words has erupted in French Polynesia over the jailed former president, Gaston Flosse, with his supporters likening him to a political prisoner.
His Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party has issued a statement, accusing the pro-independence Tavini Huiraatira Party of Oscar Temaru of conniving with the Sarkozy administration in Paris against Mr Flosse.
It also says the Tavini has become an instrument of manipulation, with a direct line betweeen Mr Temaru and Sarkozy advisors.
The Tavini has hit back, issuing a statement to say that by helping Gaston Tong Sang back into power, the Tahoeraa members not only elected an accomplice but a vassal of the central power in France.
The two sides were traditional rivals but formed a coalition government after last year's early general election with Mr Flosse as president.
It was voted out after a month.
Gaston Flosse was jailed last month as part of a corruption probe.
