TODAY, The Fiji Times endeavours to take you, our reader, on a journey of discovery into the life of a former politician, Raman Pratap Singh.
We hope to make this a regular part of our political updates, talking to aspiring politicians and former politicians, giving you in-depth knowledge of what makes them tick, their hopes and aspirations.
Name: Raman Pratap Singh
Date of birth: 6/6/1950
Place of birth: Buabua
Children: Three daughters
Occupation: Lawyer
Party: National Federation Party
Political background
Mr Singh entered national politics in 1992 under the NFP banner and he stood for the Bua Indian Constituency. He was in parliament until 1999 and was part of the Joint Parliamentary Select Committee that made the 1997 Constitution.
Apart from politics, Mr Singh joined the Labasa Town Council in 1982 as a town clerk.
Mr Singh graduated as a lawyer in 1977 and started work as a lawyer in 1978.
He was also part of the Sugar Cane Growers Council as a director for Labasa district.
Mr Singh also served as a member of Fiji Sugar Commission.
Views on the political situation
Mr Singh said Fiji’s progress towards democracy had been slow as far as the government was concerned.
He said the time to the general election was short and all political parties were doing their best under the circumstances.
Plans to contest election
Mr Singh revealed he would contest the general election under the NFP banner.
Political plan
He said he would decide if he became part of the new government.
Mr Singh said the representation of all the people in government had been lacking — by all the people “I mean the major races”.
He said the voting system was such that one dominant party won the election and ran the government while the others were in the opposition.
Mr Singh said Fiji needed a joint government with people of all races.
Views on political situation
Mr Singh said he believed in a government elected by the will of the people.
