Interim Finance Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry said he will not resign after calls for his resignations from various political parties and NGO's after his name was revealed for the first time in the Fiji Times newspaper today on the allegation that he has been evading taxes for a couple of years and having a large sum of money in off shore accounts.

It is alleged that close to a total of 1.6 million Australian dollars was deposited in five of his personal off shore accounts between September 2000 and December 2003, most of which had been shifted to investment accounts and earned substantial interest. However, after a year the money was transferred back to his account and withdrawn.

Speaking to Village news, Chaudhry reiterates that he did not owe any outstanding taxes and he will not resign as long he has the confidence of his cabinet.

Various organizations and people have hit out at this saying that it is about time Chaudhry step aside.

Ousted Prime minister, Laisenia Qarase said Mahendra Chaudhry should step aside so that investigations reveal the truth.


Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama said he will make a statement on the matter tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Transparency International Fiji has come out strongly calling for Chaudhry to resignation.

Transparency International Chairman, Hari Pal Singh said in any allegation against such nature of a public officer, Chaudhry should do a honorable thing and resign