More will be coming – PM

As debate on University of the South Pacific continues with allegations made by Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama about USP Vice Chancellor, Pal Ahluwalia and National Federation Party Leader, Professor Biman Prasad and questions regarding the appointment of Prasad’s wife, Doctor Rajni Chand, Fijivillage is still waiting for USP Pro Chancellor Winston Thompson’s comments regarding these claims.

Bainimarama says more will be coming after he alleged that there was political interference by Ahluwalia, and he has also alleged that National Federation Party, Professor Biman Prasad and Ahluwalia were working together.

Bainimarama has also alleged that proper processes were not followed when Professor Prasad’s wife, Doctor Rajni Chand was appointed USP’s Director for the Centre for Flexible Learning.

He is also asking why Prasad did not say anything about USP in the parliamentary debate on USP 2017 Annual Report last week and whether Prasad was worried that the issue regarding his wife’s appointment would be raised.

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Fijivillage had questioned Thompson last week whether he had received reports and complaints of political interference, whether any investigations were conducted and whether questions were raised about certain appointment processes. He is yet to respond.

Meanwhile NFP Leader, Professor Biman Prasad says the Prime Minister has stooped to gutter-level in his latest diatribe against him.

Prasad says the Prime Minister’s comments are childish.

He says unlike the Government, he is not that powerful so as to even think that he can pull strings for his personal gain, as claimed by the Prime Minister.

Prasad says with regards to the obtuse allegations levelled at his wife as a means to tarnish her credibility, she is highly qualified and an exemplary woman in her own right who he supports in her professional career, and he is proud that on merit and gender she is smashing glass ceilings as a beacon for other young women in Fiji. He says maybe that is why she was bestowed a 50th independence anniversary medal.

Prasad says he is proud of her and her academic achievements and Doctor Chand has earned her new appointment on merit.

He says they consider the Prime Minister’s attack on Dr Chand’s appointment as misogynistic.

When contacted for comments by Fijivillage, Professor Ahluwalia said that he will not make any comments. He had earlier said that there was no political interference on his part and meeting some people like Professor Biman Prasad at functions does not mean that he is politically interfering.