PM Says Rabuka Did Not Sacrifice His Seat, But Abandoned His Post

Prime Minister Voreqe Bain­imarama yesterday told those in Opposition who are still praising Sitiveni Rabuka to do the honourable thing and leave SODELPA to join Mr Rabuka’s new proposed party.

In his right of reply, Mr Bainima­rama began by setting the record straight on what transpired this week.

He said Mr Rabuka did not “sac­rifice his seat” for anyone and went on to abandon his post, and left SODELPA and its leadership bitterly divided.

He also told National Federation Party MPs to follow Mr Rabuka out of Parliament.

“The-now former leader of the Opposition left this Parliament with a plea for bipartisanship,” Mr Bainimarama said.

“His former party members had the chance to choose his successor in line with that principle. Unfor­tunately, that sentiment didn’t sur­vive through the tea break.”

After years of demanding Gov­ernment to work with them, he said SODELPA showed Parlia­ment how sincere they are about being bipartisan by shutting the door of their deliberations in the NFP’s face.

“Honourable Prasad ran to the Fiji Times saying that the NFP had ‘no say’ in choosing their next leader of the Opposition. So much for bipartisanship, Mister Speak­er,” he said.

“The ‘D’ in SODELPA may stand for Democratic, but they have given us ample reason to wonder if they really care about democracy at all or even understand what it is.”