6 Jul 2006

Leading Fiji Labour Party rebel says without change party will die like dinosaurs

7:06 pm on 6 July 2006

The Fiji Labour Party vice president and cabinet minister, Krishna Datt, says the party has to adapt to change or risk becoming extinct like the dinosaurs.

Radio Legend quotes Mr Datt as saying dinosaurs did not adapt and now their skeletons are found only in museums.

Mr Datt, who helped found the Labour Party in 1985, says he does not want to see that happen to the Labour Party.

Mr Datt says the leaders of all political parties need to change their style to ensure that the multi-party cabinet concept survives.

He says the time for the confrontational and aggressive approach is over as people want everyone to work together to move the country forward.

Mr Datt says if leaders cannot handle a consultative mode and a collegial approach, they should pass on the baton to someone else who can.

On threats to discipline or expel him from the party, Mr Datt says axing or sacking people will not increase party numbers and one day someone would end up alone.

Meanwhile, Mahendra Chaudhry, has told Radio Australia that there can be no question about his leadership because everyman and his dog in Fiji knows who the leader of the Labour Party is.