A long-time member of the National Federation Party and taxi industry personality, Rishi Ram, has applied for a FijiFirst ticket in the general election.

He was among applicants interviewed by a party selection panel led by general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum yesterday.

He was spotted exiting the FijiFirst office at Brown Street in Suva.

Former NFP candidate and former Taxi Union General Secretary Rishi Ram questioned by Fiji Sun Deputy Editor News, Selita Bolanavanua outside Fiji First Office in Brown Street on August 18, 2018. Photo: Ronald Kumar.

Mr Ram declined to comment when approached. He was asked why he had decided to join FijiFirst and the issues he would advocate if selected to stand.

He stood as a NFP candidate in the 2014 General Election and polled only 124 votes.

His main issue then was to improve the land transport industry, to review Land Transport Authority regulations and to reduce what he called unreasonably high fine levels.

Mr Ram was a long-time general secretary of the Fiji Taxi Association before he was outvoted by Ashwin A Lal in the association’s election last month.

Mr Lal received 100 votes while Mr Ram received 57 votes.

Mr Ram held the position for 20 years.

He said then he would have a break and continue with his work as a taxi proprietor.

Mr Ram owns a taxi company and is a company director, a Commissioner for Oaths and Justice of the Peace.

He was a Board Member of the Fiji Wages Council, President Koroqaqa Vishnu Mandir, Vice-President Koroqaqa Primary and Baulevu High School. He is also a member of the Institute of Logistic Transport of New Zealand.  He is the director of a service station based in Samabula.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

Feedback:  selita.bolanavanua@fijisun.com.fj