Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says if a decision requires removing National Federation Party (NFP) leader Professor Biman Prasad as deputy prime minister, he would do it.
Mr Rabuka was questioned by the media yesterday on whether his decision would be similar to that of when he removed the late Taufa Vakatale as deputy PM in the SVT government from 1997 to 1999.
“Yes, that is the same,” said Mr Rabuka.
“I cannot have a deputy prime minister that does not work in accordance with my directive as Coalition leader, particularly when I said on the morning of Wednesday (May 22) ‘let us stick together until elections’.”
The Prime Minister said the party could be sanctioned.
“I was waiting for an official report from the party to inform me as a party leader that the members acted in accordance with the directive of the party.
“In which case they are not liable individually.
“It is the party that I will have to talk with.”
Mr Rabuka added despite their differences, the Coalition remained strong.
Meanwhile, The People’s Alliance party leader said the standoff between NFP and Minster for Women Lynda Tabuya was “unfortunate”.
“That was unfortunate because Honorable Tabuya did not consider our Cabinet stood by silently when she was going through her problems with the media before.”
