Pacific

A Chaudhry loyalist denies split in Fiji labour Party

18:40 pm on 7 July 2006

An outspoken Labour Party MP in Fiji is denying that there is any split at the highest level of the party.

The leader of the party, Mahendra Chaudhry is threatening to expel five rebel MPs from the party for breaching its consitution.

The deputy leader, Poseci Bune, Vice President Krishna Datt and MPs Felix Anthony, Agni Deo Singh and Dr Atu Emberson-Bain are facing dismissal and loss of their parliamentary seats.

The five questioned a senate list Mr Chaudhry secretly submitted to the President and have questioned his leadership style.

One of Mr Chaudhry's supporters in cabinet, Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi, claims there is no internal strife in the party.

"I don't believe there is any rift within the party, there are people who have been raising conerns, but the matter has been put to rest. Mr Chaudhry is well on the way doing his business as usual and senators have been sworn in and that's it."

Mr Chaudhry's senators have been sworn into the Upper House.