New SODELPA Row Emerges Over Different Versions of Constitution
It adds more confusion to the deepening split that has pushed the party teetering on the edge of a precipice
Another row has emerged as confusion envelops an embattled SODELPA. This time it’s over different versions of the party constitution.
The version that some members had for the botched annual general meeting at Yaroi Village in Savusavu last year was different to the copy that the Registrar of Political Parties office has.
A group had discovered the anomaly and subsequently lodged a complaint with the office.
It is understood the difference was due to an administrative oversight.
The reason was communicated to the complainants, but they were not satisfied and are pursuing the matter further. The contentious issue is over the position of party leader appointment.
Constitutional changes were made at a special general meeting in Nadera, Nasinu two years ago. They included the appointment of a deputy leader and a casual appointment for party leader after an election loss.
The constitution issue is symptomatic of a number of governance issues that have afflicted the party.
The split in the party displayed by two separate Management Board meetings on Saturday was the culmination of irreconcilable differences between the two factions, one led by Vijay Singh and the other by Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.
Ratu Naiqama’s election as acting president at the Kshatriya Hall was an indication that the group was calling in heavy artillery for what is expected to be a prolonged battle against the Vijay Singh group.
The Tui Cakau, paramount chief of Cakaudrove, is like a cult figure in the North and wields a lot of influence among his traditional subjects and the adjoining provinces of Bua and Macuata. His re-entry Into the political fray signals the push by right wingers to defend and strengthen their hold on the party against the moderates from the Vijay Singh group.
The right wingers are remnants of the radical nationalist Christian Alliance Matanitu Vanua that pushed its political agenda during the 2000 George Speight Coup and later merged with the late Laisenia Qarase’s SDL Government in 2006. Sitiveni Rabuka missed a golden opportunity to help set SODELPA on the right course when he decided not to back acting president Vijay Singh at the Holiday Inn meeting. But he showed his allegiance to his chief, Ratu Naiqama and joined him although the moderates still accept him as the caretaker party leader. The way things played out on Saturday indicates that the moderates are going to steer the party to a middle ground to attract people from all races.
The right wingers are going to put all their eggs in one basket and go for the traditional iTaukei voters. Don’t be surprised to see them appealing to the base instincts of the iTaukei.