The Fiji Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, has formally called on the government of India to hold an investigation into reports that money was supposedly collected on his behalf in the Indian state of Haryana in 2001.
Radio Fiji reports that Mr Chaudhry made the call in parliament today, adding that he was disappointed with allegations that he converted the money to personal use.
In parliament this week the prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, had challenged Mr Chaudhry to tell the truth about the money, where it was and what it was used for.
Mr Chaudhry said an Indian government inquiry would reveal the truth so that the sordid affair could be put to rest.
Mr Chaudhry said he would not condone an act of dishonesty perpetrated under his name particularly when its victims were the poor and the disadvantaged in society.
The earlier report said the money was collected by then chief minister of Haryana state, Om Prakash Chautala, and deposited in the Oriental Bank of Commerce in the name of the Indo-Fijian Friendship Society.
