Page 10 - IB MAY 2017

Politics
The middle road

Looking for

a Fiji for all

by Netani Rika
WHEN Tupou Draunidalo chose to
leave the Opposition National Federation
Party earlier this year, political com-
mentators wondered about the wisdom
of such a move.
For there are many who believe that
without the support of the NFP and its
huge support in the cane-growing areas
of Fiji, Draunidalo will have little back-
ing ahead of Fiji’s 2018 polls.
But the fiery lawyer and former Parlia-
mentarian has chosen to step away from
the Federation to set up a party inclusive
of all ethnicities and genders – what
she describes as a truly representative
political movement.
“I believe that the Fijian electorate
largely, like many electorates overseas,
falls in the middle,” Draunidalo said.
“At the last elections, the ruling (Fi-
jiFirst) party successfully painted itself
as a middle party.
Fiji has seen that that is far from the
truth.’’
Fiji’s Prime Minister, Rear-Admiral Tupou Draunidalo addresses Parliament before her suspension. Photo: File
Frank Bainimarama, drew up a Consti-
tution which included a provision for all ting forward a number of Indo-Fijian bour Prime Minister, Dr Timoci Bavadra,
people to share the name Fijian – once candidates. has been out in the villages and settle-
the exclusive domain of the indigenous Draunidalo said Fiji’s electorate had ments, talking to people and gathering
population. started to shift. the 5000 signatures required to register
This single move has been credited “I believe Fiji has made some progress a political organisation.
with winning many Indo-Fijian votes to a more centrist position because of all And she has been looking for credible,
in the 2014 elections. The Indo-Fijian the loud, empty sell of the current gov- professional candidates to join her team.
populations has considered itself second ernment in the 11 years (in power since “I have had discussions with a broad
class citizenry due to discriminatory Bainimarama’s 2006 coup),” she said. range of Fijians because Fiji needs a
laws in place during colonial times and “Unfortunately for the government, great team, alternative political party to
after the 1987 coup. Fijians can see that their actions as an the ruling party,” Draunidalo said.
Now the indigenous people are called elected government is just similar to For the time being she will say little
iTaukei – ironical because the term their actions as an unelected govern- else about political plans.
means “owner of the land”. ment. What is obvious, however, is that there
Since the lead-up to independence, “Their actions didn’t match all of their is a plan to garner as much as possible
political parties have claimed to repre- loud talk. of the 36 per cent of voters who were
sent the views of all communities but “It was (and) is all a facade, an illu- undecided at the last election along
voters have often voted in ethnic blocs. sion. It does not exist.’’ with those disillusioned by the current
In the 2014 elections the Federation Draunidalo is expected to join a politi- choices.
and FijiFirst claimed to be truly repre- cal party which is in the process of being By holding the middle ground, Drauni-
sentative, multi-ethnic parties. registered. dalo may be in the perfect place to pick
The Social Democratic Liberal Party What shape or form that party will up the fall-out from two sides and turn
took the pro-iTaukei stance while take is unclear at this stage. this into much-needed votes.
making certain concessions by put- But the step-daughter of the late La- r netrika66@gmail.com

10 Islands Business, May 2017