The stark realities for people on the ground and the lack of access to basic needs has made me wonder how we change the status quo.
This was stated by the FRIEND founder and now proposed candidate of the National Federation Party, Sashi Kiran, who says she made the decision to stand for elections under the NFP banner last Sunday.
Kiran says this was not an easy decision and she has watched Fiji politics for the last few years and the way opposition politicians and other dissenting voices are treated by the government.
She says some people in urban areas are able to raise their complaints through the news media to get action, but many in squatter settlements and rural areas suffer silently.
Kiran also says her next project was for a care facility in the West for many neglected senior citizens and people living with disabilities.
She says she has worked with people over the last 25 years, she has learnt how they can find resources to support the needs of the poorest people, using the power of self-help and partnerships within the community.
Kiran says looking at the way Fiji is governed, the waste of resources and the loss of so many opportunities, she does not believe community leaders have a choice now.
She adds they have to speak up and stand up, have to join party politics, they cannot stay out and they need to save this country from the current government.
Kiran further says she believes NFP and its leaders Biman Prasad, Pio Tikoduadua and Lenora Qereqeretabua and others in its leadership, are the people she can work with to achieve her ambitions for Fiji and its people.
Meanwhile Fiji Teachers Union General Secretary, Agni Deo Singh and former FijiFirst MP, Balminder Singh are also part of the last batch of proposed candidates announced for the 2022 December general elections.
The party will be led into the elections by NFP Leader, Professor Biman Prasad and President, Pio Tikoduadua who have been announced as proposed candidates.
Other proposed candidates are businessman and President of the TISI Lautoka branch Ajay Kumar, NFP Assistant General Secretary Anshu Lata, Bimal Prasad Chaudhary, Davina Loloma, Jone Vakalalavanua, former parliamentary staff Iliesa Raidudua who had shot the video of the assault on Pio Tikoduadua by the Prime Minister outside parliament in 2019, Dorsami Naidu, Himayat Ali, NFP Vice President Kiniviliame Salabogi, businessman Parmod Chand, former District Officer Waisale Kanavo, former Opposition Leader Prem Singh, Rakesh Chand, Rakesh Rohit Raju, Sekonaia Rabukaduadua, Veniana Kotonitabua and Ram Lingam Mudaliar.
