The Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, Interim Minister for Labour and Industry Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi and Interim Tourism Minister Tom Rickets will resign from the interim cabinet tomorrow.
The Fiji Labour Party's National Council has this afternoon unanimously resolved that with the Draft Peoples Charter ready for public scrutiny, it is now time for its members to disengage from the interim government.
Speaking to our reporter soon after the meeting, FLP Leader Mahendra Chaudhry stated that it is a collective decision of the FLP to step out of cabinet and not a directive from anyone.
Chaudhry maintains that he saw it necessary to step forward and join the interim government after the December 5th, takeover. However he said they have played their part and it is now time for the FLP to consult the people on the draft Peoples Charter and prepare for the next general elections.
FLP President Jokapeci Koroi announced at a press conference after the meeting this afternoon that the three interim ministers are to hand in their resignations to the Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama tomorrow morning.
Chaudhry also confirmed that he has tried to contact Commodore Bainimarama this afternoon to inform him of the party’s decision.
Meanwhile, Tom Rickets and Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi refused to comment only saying that they stand by what has been announced by the Party President.
The Ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said it’s too late for the Fiji Labour Party to try and redeem itself after being part of an illegal administration.
Following the announcement that FLP will withdraw from the interim cabinet, Qarase said Chaudhry and his FLP members are abandoning a sinking ship.
And the ousted Opposition Leader Mick Beddoes said there is more to the sudden decision made by Chaudhry and others to resign then just to contest the next elections.
According to Beddoes it is also surprising that the FLP is linking its decision to pull out of cabinet to the Peoples Charter process.
Chaudhry, Vayeshnoi, Rickets to Resign From Cabinet Tomorrow
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