At last Chaudhry gets deserved recognition as an important contributor to national development
It’s taken awhile but Mahendra Chaudhry has finally received the recognition he deserves when he was awarded a medal for the 50th anniversary of Fiji’s Independence.
Oldest active politician
At 78, the Fiji Labour Party leader belongs to a diminishing but special small group of Fijians who are blessed with longevity and endowed with an indormitable spirit to press on and contribute to national development despite what seemed, at times, like insurmountable challenges.
He holds the distinction of being the oldest among the local crop of active politicians. If he contests the 2022 General Election, which he said he would, he would go down in the annals of Fijian politics as the oldest politician to have contested a Fijian General Election. He would be 80 years old.
His highest achievement was attained in 1999 when he toppled Sitiveni Rabuka’s SVT (Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei) Government in a landslide victory. He became the first Indo-Fijian Prime Minister.
But his leadership reign was shortlived when George Speight overthrew his government in the 2000 coup with the help of some rogue members of the Counter Revolutionary Warfare unit of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. The objective of the coup was to give iTaukei political dominance in the country’s governance.
He was held hostage with other members of his government and was released after 56 days in captivity at the old Veiuto parliamentary complex. During his confinement he had some harrowing experience with his captors. Fortunately he was released after the coup leader apologised to him. It was not the first time he had been in this situation. In May, 1987, as Finance Minister, he was among members of then Prime Minister, the late Dr Timoci Bavadra’s Government, taken hostage by RFMF soldiers after Mr Rabuka’s military coup.
Political journey
During his political journey he lost some of his close original associates like Krishna Dutt and Tupeni Baba through disagreements over his leadership style.
He was unruffled and stayed the course, focusing on the ideals that Labour was built upon – a fair and equitable share of the nation’s wealth through better pay and working conditions for all workers in public and private sectors, better deal for cane farmers and sugar industry workers and operators, creating an environment for more investment, multiracialism, freedom of the media and social justice, just to name some.
Like many politicians, Mr Chaudhry is not without blemish. He was convicted and fined $1.17 million for breaching the Exchange Control Act over $1.5 million he had invested in Australia without notifying the relevant authorities here. As part of the penalty he was not allowed to contest the 2014 and 2018 elections. This was one of the most difficult periods of his political career when he could only watch from the sidelines. At one time he was contemplating giving up the Labour leadership and winding down on politics. But he was and still is the face of Labour. He has bounced back with renewed energy.
Eligible to stand for 2022 election
He is now eligible to stand for the 2022 election and is hitting the campaign trail. Mr Chaudhry is already making an impact in the communities he has been visiting. Last month’s Fiji Sun- Western Force Research public opinion poll shows that he is gradually rebuilding his support base. His success is significant because Labour has now secured the third spot in the party rankings after FijiFirst and SODELPA, knocking off the National Federation Party to fifth place. He joined the Bainimarama regime after the 2006 takeover as Finance Minister because he liked the policies particular on removing racism and corruption. He was criticised for that move by some in his Labour camp. He later resigned over his Foreign Exchange Control Act case but he has never lost sight of Labour’s ideals.
Championing the cause of the ordinary people is at the top of his agenda. It’s a cause that he hopes will help Labour return to the mainstream of Fijian politics.