The favouritism that is being supposedly shown towards some SODELPA candidates has become another bone of contention within the already fragile party.

The party released it’s first 30 names of candidates to contest the 2018 General Elections. While a number of the sitting Parliamentarians were left in the dark until the announcement whether they had made the cut, people from outside the party were told a day in advance that they had been selected.

According to very well placed and connected party sources, this information has not gone down well with candidates who did not know until the Special General Meeting on December 9, that they have been selected.

What has irked a number of candidates is that lawyer, Tanya Waqanika, who is also a candidate revealed on her Facebook page that she had received a call from SODELPA headquarters a day before the announcement where her permission was sought before her candidacy was announced.

Sources claim that SODELPA loyalists have questioned why some were informed a day in advance while others did not know what was going on.

What is also rocking the boat for the party is the furor, which followed the leak that the name of former Permanent Secretary in Prime Minister’s Office Parmesh Chand may be announced in the next set of candidates.

There is strong lobbying going on that Mr Chand should not be given a ticket, but those who see his professional background are adamant that he will be an asset.

Former administrative staff member in Laisenia Qarase’s cabinet, Shailendra Raju, who had been vocal in his support for SODELPA, has ended his association with the party.

And, he has threatened to reveal details of some dealings of a member of SODELPA who had asked Mr Raju to resign from the party.

Sources reveal that the public showdown between Mr Raju and other SODELPA loyalists is closely watched by party hierarchy, who are trying to mediate in the matter before it gets out of hand.

Questions on both issues have been forwarded to party general secretary Adi Litia Qionibaravi. She had not responded when this edition went to press.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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