Chaudhry survives party leadership challenge

12:30 PM

SUVA - Fiji's deposed ethnic-Indian prime minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, survived a threat to his leadership of the Labour Party yesterday, at least until a crucial court case later this month, party sources said.

A source said Labour members did not want to pre-empt a decision by Fiji's Court of Appeal on a High Court ruling on whether the interim government which replaced Chaudhry's administration was illegal.

"Members of the party have unanimously voted for Mahendra Chaudhry to remain as leader until a decision is made by the Full Court of Appeal," the source said after the Labour Party met at Sigatoka, west of Suva.

Chaudhry, Fiji's first ethnic-Indian leader, was toppled last May by nationalist rebels led by failed businessman George Speight and held hostage with most of his multi-racial government for two months until the military negotiated their freedom.

His government was replaced by a mostly indigenous Fijian interim administration appointed by the military.
Speculation has grown in recent weeks that Chaudhry, known for his abrasive leadership style, would be toppled by his deputy Tupeni Baba, an indigenous Fijian who was also held hostage.

"Mahen's head may roll," the independent fijilive.com website reported on Saturday ahead of the Labour Party meeting.

Party whip Joeli Kalou said this week the issue of party leadership would see a tussle between Chaudhry and Baba.

Australia's high commissioner to Fiji, Sue Boyd, said last year Chaudhry's government had been set to dump him but was pre-empted by the May 19 coup.

Chaudhry and Baba would not discuss the leadership issue outside the closed party meeting yesterday.

- REUTERS