19 Jun 2006

Fiji Labour Party to discuss public spat

3:59 pm on 19 June 2006

The Fiji Labour Party will discuss a public row between two of its ministers in the multi-party cabinet at a meeting of its national council in Nadi on Saturday.

The row between the energy minister, Lekh Ram Vyashnoi, and the environment minister, Poseci Bune, followed statements by Mr Vyashnoi that FLP ministers should follow their party's manifesto in cabinet.

Mr Bune said FLP ministers had entered the multi-party cabinet without conditions and Mr Vyashnoi was just echoing the thoughts of his leader, Mahendra Chaudhry.

On his return to Fiji at the weekend, Mr Chaudhry told Fiji TV the differences were a healthy sign of democracy and people should be free to express their views.

Mr Chaudhry said My Vyashnoi had done that and he respected Mr Vyashnoi for that.

Mr Chaudhry said the national council meeting will be taking stock of the multi-party cabinet arrangements.

The Labour Party's national council is Mr Chaudhry's power base.