Balawa calls for unity amid PA leadership rumours

The People's Alliance (PA) party has sought to ease speculation over its leadership, with general secretary Sila Balawa urging party members to remain united.

His comments follow recent remarks by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka acknowledging that some ministers had ambitions to lead the party in the future.

Mr Rabuka said political ambition was healthy if pursued in the right way. He also acknowledged that some individuals within the party had different agendas.

Mr Balawa said his priority was preparing the party for the next general election.

"If that is the case, then he knows more than I do," Mr Balawa said when asked about claims of an internal group seeking to challenge the party leadership.

"My focus is the preparations towards the elections."

He urged members to set aside any differences for the good of the party.

"If there is a time to be united, then this is it," he said.

"For those who may have differences or grumbles or whatever they have, they should put all that aside. We need to come together and fight as one single unit. Like the saying goes: united we stand, divided we fall."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Industries, Commerce, Business Development and Public Enterprises Manoa Kamikamica, whose name has been linked to the leadership speculation, again dismissed the rumours.

He said his working relationship with Mr Rabuka remained strong.

"As I've said before, many people joined when I decided to help establish this party. I was one of the very first people to support him throughout his journey. That has been a long-standing commitment," he said.

Mr Balawa said ambition was welcome, but anyone seeking to lead the party must earn the confidence of both members and the public.

"You have to work your way up," Mr Balawa said.

"You have to serve. You have to do the hard yards and prove yourself to be a worthy leader for the nation, for the people to believe in you."