The i-Taukei are not disadvantaged in any way at all - PM

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama stresses that the i-Taukei are not disadvantaged in any way at all and to say otherwise is a lie.

While responding to the President Jioji Konrote's opening speech in parliament, Bainimarama raised the question on why the National Federation Party President Tupou Draunidalo is creating a false impression by saying that the Itaukei have been disadvantaged under the current government.

Draunidalo had made a plea to the Indo Fijian community and other communities to take their support away from the Prime Minister and the government as she says that there is a real need to protect the rights of the i-Taukei.

Draunidalo made the call during NFP's meeting earlier this month.

Bainimarama says this insults the intelligence of the i-Taukei people as the rights of the Itaukei are well protected under the constitution.

He says indigenous rights cannot be used to justify monopoly over power and it should not be used to have a community made up of the privileged.

Meanwhile Voreqe Bainimarama says it was a great shame and an insult to the nation when the National Federation Party decided to boycott the opening of the new parliament session by President, Jioji Konrote.

Bainimarama also raised the issue on how the NFP Leader, Biman Prasad is questioning the legitimacy of the constitution when he stood in the 2014 elections under the constitution.

Prasad will respond to the President’s opening speech on Thursday.