Mahendra Chaudhary

Leader of the Fiji Labour Party

Mahendra Chaudhry is the leader of the Fiji Labour Party. He became the first Indo-Fijian Prime Minister of Fiji on May 19, 1999. His tenure was abruptly cut short on May 19, 2000, when he and most of his cabinet were taken hostage during a coup. 

Chaudhry’s political career began with his involvement in trade unions, serving as the Secretary General of the National Farmers Union. He entered politics with the Fiji Labour Party, which he helped found in 1985. After being elected to Parliament in 1987, he was appointed Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, but his tenure was disrupted by a military coup. 

Despite these challenges, Chaudhry remained a significant figure in Fijian politics, leading the Labour Party from 1991 onwards and advocating for constitutional reforms and minority rights. Indiaspora is proud to have Mahendra Chaudry in our Global Government List.