Cracks in the Alliance?

Questions on whether the People’s Alliance (PA) party remains strong and united have emerged after the absence of full representation of its Young Alliance wing during its Annual General Meeting in Suva last Saturday.

Party members from all around Fiji gathered at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva, with many women and men present, but not many youths were part of the meeting.

Party general secretary Sila Balawa said the lack of youth representation seemed to point to a few disgruntled members who claimed they were not given what they were earlier promised by the party.

Those concerned have raised questions if there is a dent in the loyalty of party supporters.

“There were a few disgruntled youths that were active during the formation of the Party, and I’ve heard a mention of some promises being made to them by the then candidates who are now Ministers, but I personally don’t think there was any made,” Mr Balawa said.

“Some of these youths might have had a few discussions with the candidates then, but whatever their discussions were about, I’m not aware of.

“I’m aware that some were unhappy after the 2022 General Election, but I had no part in it.”

Youth leadership change

Mr Balawa said while youths made an important fraction of the party and its movement, the current executives had been passive since they were appointed last year.

“We need to bring about changes into the executives because since my tenure as GS, I have never met the president of our Young Alliance Party,” he said.

“The president has not attended a single meeting he was supposed to attend.”

Mr Balawa is strongly of the view that the current president, Whalley Turaga should be removed and later after scrutinising this issue, a special meeting will be called to seek the matter out.

“We will then probably call a special meeting to have the election on it. I must go through the Constitution on what the proper process is going to be,” he said.

Party intact

Mr Balawa confirmed the party remained united and disgruntled members were a small fraction of the large Young Alliance supporters.

The Fiji Sun could not get a comment from the executive members of the Young Alliance and Mr Turaga despite several attempts.

New party president, Ratu Josefa Dimuri said the Young Alliance wing was an important asset of the party and he was adamant in ensuring they were brought back in line.

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