I am scared of giving up power to Biman Prasad or Sitiveni Rabuka - Bainimarama

The FijiFirst hit back at the National Federation Party's comments about the government's VAT policies last night at a campaign meeting in Sakoca, and the Prime Minister also made it clear that he is scared of giving up power to Biman Prasad or Sitiveni Rabuka.

Speaking to about 250 people, Prime Minister and FijiFirst Leader Voreqe Bainimarama did not only respond to the NFP but also questioned whether its leader Biman Prasad was worthy enough to be Prime Minister.

Bainimarama also said that despite comments being made by political parties, people know what the FijiFirst government has done.

FijiFirst General Secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told people present at the campaign meeting that they have to be able to live with dignity and respect.Sayed-Khaiyum said somebody may come to them and say that they will reduce VAT on dhal but people will not live on dhal alone.

He said he would rather pay 50 cents more and live with respect.

While speaking in hindi, National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad said in a campaign meeting in Tabia, Labasa that this government has stabbed in the stomach of our people by putting nine percent VAT on basic food items that were previously zero rated.

Professor Prasad told the people that basic food items should not attract VAT and the FijiFirst had also promised in their 2014 manifesto that they will ensure VAT on the listed basic food items will be at zero percent.

He says based on this and some threats and other nonsense that some things will go away like the free bus fare, people then went and voted for FijiFirst in 2014.

Prasad says the current government thought that the people are foolish and will be misled.

He Prasad told around 50 people at the campaign meeting that he believes that their people are not foolish and will not be misled as they are much more intelligent than what this government thinks about them.

Biman Prasad says he has gone around the country and now feels that people will throw FijiFirst out of the government.