*SODELPA Leader Sitiveni Rabuka and National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad have both confirmed having talks to work together prior to the election but not a coalition.
After many months of reluctance to speak about this burning issue, the two leaders have finally admitted the partnership talks, following revelations by the former NFP President and now Hope Party Leader Tupou Draunidalo who told FBC News in an exclusive interview that she left the NFP because of its decision to work with SODELPA.
Rabuka says there were negotiations with NFP of a possible coalition.
“We were talking on a pre-election coalition where we would all come together and that invitation was open to all the parties.”
NFP Leader Professor Biman Prasad says that the talks with SODELPA was for a partnership and not a coalition.
“As far as we are concern that was never on the card for but for us we will work with other political parties on issues of national interest and right now NFP is working with other parties on the issue of elections.”
However, Rabuka confirms a coalition with NFP was on the cards for a while until the NFP leader decided to pull out.
“Until NFP announced that there were going to do it alone but we continue to cooperate on issues of making the election transparent and fair.”
Professor Prasad says their stand is clear and NFP is going to fight the election on its own and any talk of coalition will be decided after election, if no party has the majority.
