Opposition leader Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu is upset that internal matters within the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) are being leaked to the Fiji Sun.

He was referring to a report published on Wednesday concerning the party requesting rebel Opposition MP, Mosese Bulitavu, to explain why he supported the 2022-2023 National Budget.

In the report, Mr Bulitavu was asked to appear before the party caucus yesterday. However, Ratu Naiqama said the caucus could not meet yesterday to decide Mr Bulitavu’s fate after information about him being quizzed was leaked to Fiji Sun.

He had made the request known to Mr Bulitavu during a break in Parliament proceedings on Wednesday.

This is not the first time Mr Bulitavu has supported the Government’s national Budget, or any motion put forward by Government in Parliament.

He backed the last two National Budget and the iTaukei Land Trust commonly known as Bill No. 17 of 2021. Ratu Naiqama, in an email to Fiji Sun, said: “Who leaked the information to you. The matter was supposed to be internal. “I saw the paper this morning (yesterday). We could not have a meeting to decide on his fate as the information had been leaked to Fiji Sun.”

“That is all, I will not reveal any further information to the Fiji Sun.”

Mr Bulitavu said his support for the Budget was brought to Ratu Naiqama’s attention at the SODELPA caucus on Wednesday morning.

“I have not been disciplined or issued a letter after I have had showed support towards the 2022-2023 National Budget,” he said.

“I have not been locked out from the Opposition Chambers as claimed on social media. I was at the Opposition Conference room at lunch time, full talanoa (talks) with fellow parliamentarians.”

“The issue had been raised earlier by caucus members when I had supported a few motions by Government this year.”

He said caucus sub-committee was to have prepared a report with a recommendation to be taken to the management board of the party for it to resolve that a party directive for any vote in Parliament to be at the discretion of the leader of the opposition as parliamentary leader

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