IT is entirely up to National Federation Party leader Prof Biman Prasad to decide whether he wants to continue leading the party while his court case is ongoing.
Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Pio Tikoduadua said this while addressing questions around the party’s leadership, following Prof Prasad’s removal from Cabinet as he faces court proceedings.
Speaking on The Lens@177, Mr Tikoduadua said he did not believe the NFP caucus had directly discussed with Prof Prasad whether he should step aside from the party leadership while his case was before the courts.
“I don’t think that directly we did,” he said.
“Not when I was present, but I personally think we have raised the issue with him at some point.”
Mr Tikoduadua said leadership became challenging when a person was going through such a period but noted that Prof Prasad had been charged and had not been proven guilty.
He said there were precedents on such matters, but ultimately the decision rested with Prof Prasad.
“It is a decision that Hon Prasad needs to make. That is an option for him to take.
“It will be up to him to decide whether he wants to continue in that role.”
Mr Tikoduadua said Prof Prasad was educated and well-informed enough to make a responsible decision based on his current circumstances and how they related to the party.
He also noted that coalition governments often faced internal tensions and said this had also been the case under the current Coalition Government.
