Updated: 7:12am – Lautoka lawyer and former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart Aman Ravindra Singh has bean appointed to lead the Fiji Labour Party into the 2018 General Elections.
Mahendra Chaudhry remains the party leader despite not contesting the upcoming election due to his ineligibility status. The announcement followed the Fiji Labour Party council meeting at the Trans International Hotel, in Nadi.
On Labour’s candidates, Mr Singh said: “There are 51 seats at stake and we aim for the full 51 seats when it comes to nominations.
“Leaving personalities aside we need to do what is right, what’s more important are the issues our nation and people are facing… which are pressing issues.
“The FLP manifesto will not only offer the solution but practical solutions, durable solutions. We strongly believe when the policies are imposed, it will be workable.
“As far as FLP is concerned we offer the alternatives and policies to the people of Fiji … which are workable, tried and tested. Once again given the opportunity these will benefit the whole nation.”
The council meeting was attended by branch representatives from various districts with 40 people in attendance.
Mr Chaudhry said they discussed issues related to the upcoming elections which were main subjects of the agenda.
“I remain as the party leader and we have assigned the responsibility of the conduct of elections for the party to Aman Ravindra Singh who leads Fiji Labour Party to the 2018 General elections,” he said.
He said the party took some decisions which were necessary to comply with its constitution in respect of selection of the candidates, and determining of the election levy.
“We discussed campaign strategy. We discussed financing of the campaign and candidates, in terms of gender balance and racial mix and also the issue of party leadership which has been on-going for some time with the media,” he said.
Labour candidates
Mr Chaudhry said: “We are in no rush, we are taking our time. The Writ of Election has not been issued but we are planning on announcing our first batch of candidates, hopefully by later next week.
“We are still talking to potential candidates. There are some constraints along the way because of employment and they would not like to be identified just now. We await the issue of the Writ of Election, a lot of parities and people are anxiously waiting for it and we will know for certain when election will be held.”
The party also confirmed that some seasoned politicians who have contested as MPs previously will contest once again.
“There are some past MPs who are in the team and others may have not been MPs but have pretty good knowledge of government and how it works, civil servants and administrators,” he said.
-Fiji Sun
Featured image: Fiji Labour Party stalwarts Aman Ravindra Singh (front left), president Lavenia Padarath (front second from left), party leader Mahendra Chaudhry (front, third from left) and members during the party’s council meeting at the Trans International Hotel in Nadi on March 10, 2018. Photo: Waisea Nasokia
