The Government has issued a statement saying that it is extremely disappointed that SODELPA has decided to boycott the special Parliamentary meeting planned for the visiting Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

The statement states that the visit by the Indian Prime Minister is a national event, not a political one.

It states that it is an opportunity for our nation to engage the leader of the world’s largest democracy and one of Fiji's most important international partners in discussions that are critical for Fiji's future.

The statement highlights that the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Parliament gives him the opportunity to address all of Fiji's elected leaders.

The government also states that the Leader of the Opposition, following protocol is also a member of the official welcoming and fare welling parties.

It has also stated that the traditional welcome ceremony, which will be conducted by people from Naisorokoba in Ba, was designed to greet Prime Minister Modi in the proud iTaukei tradition, and also in a way befitting a leader who rose from humble beginnings to lead the world’s largest democracy.

They said that SODELPA's position is an insult to the people of Ba and all Fijians.

The government has also highlighted that the members of SODELPA have put their own political agenda ahead of the national interest.

Government believes that visiting leaders should not be used to fight petty political battles as it is an important moment for Fiji, a time for Fijians to put their differences aside even momentarily in the interests of the nation.

The government said that SODELPA has passed up another opportunity to show that it can rise above petty politics and work for the national good.

The Government has also stressed that the burden is on SODELPA to show that it thinks beyond its own agenda, show true leadership, and focus on what is good for the nation.

When questioned on whether this is an embarrassing situation for Fiji where SODELPA parliamentarians including the Opposition Leader will not be in parliament for Modi’s address, Ro Teimumu said there is nothing personal against the Indian Prime Minister.

Ro Teimumu also said chiefs should have been given the opportunity to welcome the Indian Prime Minister.

When Fijivillage asked her on whether the people of Fiji welcoming Prime Minister Modi at Albert Park would be the best option, she maintained that the chiefs should have been invited for the event.

The National Federation Party Parliamentary Leader, Biman Prasad said the three MP’s of NFP will definitely attend the parliament session tomorrow and they are not part of the SODELPA bocott.

When asked on the embarrassing situation in parliament tomorrow where the 15 SODELPA seats will be empty in the house when Prime Minister Modi speaks, Prasad said he cannot say anything.

However he said it would have been ideal to have all the parliamentarians in the house.

Prasad also said there is no split in the opposition although the two parties in the opposition have made different decisions for the visit of the Prime Minister of India.

Modi will also have a historic meeting with the Pacific leaders at Grand Pacific Hotel tomorrow night before heading back to India.