SODELPA Opposition Parliamentarian, Mitieli Bulanauca, yesterday accused President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote of campaigning for the FijiFirst party in his opening address to Parliament on Monday.

“I thank His Excellency the President for his most gracious address yesterday (Monday), but I thought he was still campaigning for FFP,” Mr Bulanauca said during his maiden speech.

“May I request the FFP/Government not to draft a presidential address that would or may embarrass His Excellency – they must not lower his dignity by forcing him to again do a political speech as if campaigning.”

Mr Bulanauca referred to the 2013 Fijian Constitution when he said he was concerned for any constitution that he claimed was forced down the throats of people.

He said it was of concern because the document should be for the people by the people, adding that any claims that the constitution is, is false and is a big lie.

This was his maiden speech in the present Parliament.

Mr Bulanauca worked for the Native Lands Trust Board, the forerunner to the iTaukei Lands Trust Board, for 17 years reaching the position of Deputy General Manager before he joined politics.

He is a registered valuer by profession.

He was a member of the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (SVT) Parliament in 1999 and was a Senator from 2001 to 2006 and government whip under the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) government.

Mr Bulanauca hails from Bua in Vanua Levu.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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