MULTETHNIC Affairs and Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh did not mince his words when responding to comments made by National Farmers Union general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry calling for the Prime Minister to strip him of his portfolio.

In a statement, Mr Chaudhry urged Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to consider changes in the leadership of the Sugar Ministry.

“He (Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh) is a proven disaster and has misused his office and privileges by indulging in highly questionable overseas travel under the guise of seeking solutions to revive the industry,” he said.

In response, Mr Singh questioned what authority permitted Mr Chaudhry to speak to him.

“He needs to shut up and get out of politics. He is not relevant anymore,” he said.

“Chaudhry needs to get out of the sugar industry politics.”

Mr Singh said the decision would ultimately be made by those who elected him to his role.

“I am an elected Member of Parliament, and if anyone is to remove me, then the public will remove me, not him.”