Suva, Fiji: Mahendra Chaudhry, who barely lasted a year as Fiji's first ethnic Indian prime minister before he was taken hostage by armed indigenous Fijian nationalists in the May 2000 coup, said his Fiji Labour Party had a duty to oust the ruling indigenous Fijian-dominated Soqosoqo Duavata Ni Lewenivanua (SDL) party.
"The economy is just about near collapse and we have to rid the nation of a SDL government", said Chaudhry.
"My government was deposed by terrorists in 2000; now we have unfinished business; now we want to finish it for this country", he added.
Chaudhry was one of dozens of lawmakers held hostage in Parliament for 56 days by armed insurgents before the military imposed martial law and installed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase as the country's caretaker leader.
Qarase was returned to power in elections ion 2001. Coup leader George Speight was eventually tried and is serving a life sentence for treason.
Chaudhry said the "SDL government has wrecked the economy" and was responsible for worsening poverty, growing unemployment, neglected infrastructure and deteriorating hospitals.
Qarase was not immediately available to comment on the accusation.
Both Qarase and Chaudhry predicted victory for their parties. The SDL currently holds 37 of the 71 seats and Labour 28.
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