Seruiratu defends Sudhakar's political return

People First Party leader Inia Seruiratu has defended the party's decision to endorse former minister Ashneel Sudhakar, saying unproven allegations should not prevent him from contesting the 2026 General Election.

Questions have been raised over Mr Sudhakar's selection after he was removed from Cabinet in 2020 following allegations of misconduct and sexual harassment.

Mr Sudhakar, who was Minister for Lands at the time, resigned from the FijiFirst Party and was subsequently dismissed from his ministerial portfolio.

Mr Seruiratu said the party was fully aware of the allegations but noted that Mr Sudhakar had never been charged or convicted.

"We are fully aware of that, but they were only allegations and it was a party process. He was never charged or convicted, so why should he be denied the opportunity to come back and contest the election?" he said.

Mr Seruiratu said it would be unfair to victimise Mr Sudhakar over the allegations.

"Everybody is innocent, so why should he be victimised because of those allegations? In all fairness, he is still innocent, which is why we considered him as a candidate."

The People First Party, launched last Saturday, remains open to accepting more candidates.