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Mahendra Chaudhry's party lags behind

Shailendra Singh in Suva

Deposed Fiji premier Mahendra Chaudhry's party is lagging behind in the election with 27 seats, even as interim Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase's party has surged ahead with 29.

The scramble to form Fiji's next government is on with the frontrunners making overtures to smaller groups that could dictate the balance of power in the 71-member house.

By 10pm Fiji time, Qarase's Soqosoqo ni Duavata ni Lewenivanua party had bagged 29 seats, boosting its chances of forming a government in alliance with the ultra-nationalist Conservative Alliance Matanitu Vanua, which has seven seats so far.

The CAMV, meanwhile, dismissed rumours that it was forming a coalition with Chaudhry's Fiji Labour Party.

"I have not spoken to Labour and they have not spoken to us," CAMV leader Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure told Radio Fiji about rumours that the FLP's Poseci Bune was leading a team to meet the party in Labasa.

Vakalalabure said they were in talks with the SDL and members of the other Fijian parties of the same nationalistic bent. He said any new government needed to look at its manifesto seriously and ensure that the measures they promised are implemented.

It seems inconceivable now to think of a Labour-CAMV alliance. The CAMV has promised to pardon coup leader George Speight if it comes to power. Speight won a seat under the party's banner while still under detention in Nukulau prison.

It is believed that the CAMV is insisting on changes in the multi-racial constitution and a pardon for Speight before lending Qarase its support.

A confident Qarase on Thursday called a media conference and said he was ready to form a government. One of the tragedies of the elections has been the wipeout of moderate parties, heralding the return to democracy with a racially polarised Parliament.

One of the big guns to fall on Thursday was the deputy prime minister in Chaudhry's government, Tupeni Baba, who had formed the new Labour Unity Party.

Former prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka said on Fiji Television that the time was ripe for Qarase and Chaudhry to seize the opportunity and work together under the 1997 Constitution.

But Qarase is refusing to do so, citing opposing views on some fundamental issues. A new government is expected to be in power by late next week.

After 68 seats the tally on Thursday night saw the FLP and SDL at 27 and 29, respectively, while the CAMV had bagged seven. The National Federation Party and New Labour Unity Party had one each. Two seats had gone to independents, while the United General Party managed one seat.

Indo-Asian News Service

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