Chaudhry Challenges NFP President Over Cane Payment Promise

Fiji Labour Party Leader and National Farmers Union (NFU) General Secretary, Mahendra Chaudhry, has hit back at National Federation Party (NFP) President Parmod Chand, insisting that the NFP and its leader, Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad, had indeed promised a $110 per tonne guaranteed cane price during the 2022 general election campaign.

Chaudhry dismissed Chand’s call for proof, stating that the evidence lies with the cane farmers themselves.

“Hundreds of farmers cannot be lying,” Chaudhry said. “If Chand needs further proof, he should read the Hansard Report of 15 September 2023, where Speaker of Parliament Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu ruled on this matter following a claim by Opposition MP Praveen Bala.”

Chaudhry explained that Bala had made the claim in Parliament during the 2023 Budget debate on 30 July, which led to threats from NFP to refer him to the Privileges Committee.

However, the Speaker later ruled that Bala had provided sufficient evidence to support his statement.

“The Speaker’s ruling clearly confirmed that NFP made this promise. So, who is really lying, Mr. Chand?” Chaudhry questioned.

He accused NFP leaders of making false promises to farmers for political gain and then failing to fulfill them.

“NFP promised growers a guaranteed price of $110 per tonne, yet they have failed to deliver.

They also pledged to hold Growers Council elections within three months of taking office and to reduce the cost of living, but none of this has happened,” he said.

Chaudhry urged Chand to retract his statement and issue an apology to both the farmers and voters.

“NFP’s credibility has taken a major hit due to the many unfulfilled promises they made to the people of Fiji,” he said.