‘Self-defeating if SODELPA withdraws from Coalition’

IT would be foolhardy and selfdefeating if the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) to withdraws from the People’s Coalition Government, says former permanent secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office and long serving civil servant, Jioji Kotobalavu.

When asked what the political consequence of SODELPA’s withdrawal from the threeparty partnership would be, Mr Kotobalavu said it would be “the quickest road to their political oblivion”.

He said a similar event happened in 1994 when the SVT government led by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka voted against the National Budget.

“On the PM ‘s advice, Parliament was dissolved, and new general elections were held in early 1995. PM Rabuka and his SVT Party and government won with a decisive majority,” said Mr Kotobalavu.

Mr Kotobalavu said SODELPA’s claim that the decision to dismiss ousted education minister Aseri Radrodro would have only played out well for the party if no proper procedures were followed which in this case were executed and applied correctly.

“Obviously, PM Rabuka has had to consult closely with all coalition partners. In his explanations as reported in the media, we note that he has maintained close consultations with his two DPMs, one of which, Hon Viliame Gavoka, is the parliamentary head of SODELPA.

“Here, it is very significant to note that whilst PM Rabuka has terminated Hon Aseri Radrodro’s appointment as Minister for Education, he has continued to assign that education ministerial position and portfolio to SODELPA by appointing and assigning Hon Viliame Gavoka to it.

“So, SODELPA has effectively kept control of the three ministerial positions and portfolio responsibilities, assigned to it in their political coalition agreement.

“A claim by SODELPA that it has been unfairly treated by PM Rabuka would be justified only if the education ministerial portfolio was taken away from SODELPA.”