National Federation Party (NFP) leader Professor Biman Prasad has accused former NFP president Tupou Draunidalo of being “a mouthpiece and an apologist” for Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Prof Prasad said this at a media conference yesterday when asked to comment on a statement Ms Draunidalo recently made where she said she left NFP out of suspicion that the party was working with the People’s Alliance leader Sitiveni Rabuka.
Prof Prasad said Ms Draunidalo’s reason for leaving NFP was to form a new party.
“And she did form HOPE and got it registered, contested the 2018 elections where the party received a total of 2811 votes – 155 votes less than what she received as an NFP candidate in 2014 elections.
“All her hopes of becoming the prime minister disappeared with HOPE, which has been even de-registered.
“For someone who couldn’t efficiently manage her own party in conformity to the present laws, to run a smear campaign against the NFP is shameful.”
Ms Draunidalo claimed NFP was working with a party that would destroy everything NFP founders stood for.
“For more than five years now, the NFP has avoided saying anything about or against Ms Tupou Draunidalo, who having quit as the party president in January 2017 has been taking pot-shots at us,” Prof Prasad said.
“But for her to say that a 59-year-old party is controlled by Mr Rabuka or anyone else for that matter, is unforgivable.
“She has now chosen to be a mouthpiece and an apologist for Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Frank Bainimarama. That is her choice and freedom.”
