James Madhavan
Encyclopedia
James Madhavan was one of the longest serving politicians in Fiji
. He initially was a primary school teacher but when the Maha Sangh
was formed in Labasa
was one of its earliest members. Unlike, Viti Levu
where it was mainly supported by South Indians
, the Maha Sangh in Labasa had support from a wide cross-section of the Fiji Indian community. James Madhavan was able to use this to propel himself into the Legislative Council
.
He entered the Legislative Council in 1947 and remained a member of Parliament until his death in 1973. He aligned himself with A.D. Patel
against Vishnu Deo
, but unlike A.D. Patel who lost his seat when Vishnu Deo turned against him, Madhavan was able to retain his Eastern Indian Division seat. After A.D. Patel's defeat in 1950, Madhavan was selected as the Indian representative in the Executive Council
.
Madhavan was the leader of Maha Sangh in Vanua Levu and when the organisation split into two opposing factions, he registered a new association known as the Vanua Levu Farmers Union.
He contested the 1963 election, under the banner of Citizens Federation, together with A.D. Patel and Sidiq Koya
. All three won convincingly and went on to form the Federation Party
in 1964.
He was an active member of the Fiji Teachers Union
and was its president in the 1950s and early-1960s, retiring from the position in 1967.
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
. He initially was a primary school teacher but when the Maha Sangh
Maha Sangh
Akhil Fiji Krishak Maha Sangh was a sugar cane farmers' union formed on 15 June 1941 in opposition to the existing union, the Kisan Sangh. Supporters of Kisan Sangh tried to stop the formation of the Maha Sangh but were unsuccessful. The people responsible for the formation of a second sugar cane...
was formed in Labasa
Labasa
Labasa is a town in Fiji with a population of 27,949 at the most recent census held in 2007.Labasa is located in Macuata Province, in the north-eastern part of the island of Vanua Levu, and is the largest town on the island. The town itself is located on a delta formed by three rivers - the...
was one of its earliest members. Unlike, Viti Levu
Viti Levu
Viti Levu is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji, the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population.- Geography and economy :...
where it was mainly supported by South Indians
South Indians in Fiji
The South Indians in Fiji are mainly descendents of the 15,132 indentured labourers who arrived in Fiji between 1903 to 1916. This represents about 25% out of a total of 60,965 indentured labourers who arrived in Fiji between 1879 and 1916...
, the Maha Sangh in Labasa had support from a wide cross-section of the Fiji Indian community. James Madhavan was able to use this to propel himself into the Legislative Council
Legislative Council (Fiji)
The Fijian Legislative Council was the colonial precursor to the present-day Parliament, which came into existence when Fiji became independent on 10 October 1970.-The first Legislative Council:...
.
He entered the Legislative Council in 1947 and remained a member of Parliament until his death in 1973. He aligned himself with A.D. Patel
A.D. Patel
Ambalal Dahyabhai Patel, better known as A.D. Patel, was a Fiji Indian politician, farmers' leader and founder and leader of the National Federation Party. Patel was uncompromisingly committed to a vision of an independent Fiji, with full racial integration...
against Vishnu Deo
Vishnu Deo
Pandit Vishnu Deo OBE was the first Fiji born and bred leader of the Fiji Indians. From 1929, when he was first elected to the Legislative Council, until his retirement in 1959, he remained the most powerful Fiji Indian political leader in Fiji...
, but unlike A.D. Patel who lost his seat when Vishnu Deo turned against him, Madhavan was able to retain his Eastern Indian Division seat. After A.D. Patel's defeat in 1950, Madhavan was selected as the Indian representative in the Executive Council
Executive Council (Fiji)
The colonial Governors of Fiji relied on the Executive Council for advice on proposals for legislation which, after being discussed in the Executive Council meetings, came before the Legislative Council in the form of bills. In this way, the Executive Council was the chief policy-making body and...
.
Madhavan was the leader of Maha Sangh in Vanua Levu and when the organisation split into two opposing factions, he registered a new association known as the Vanua Levu Farmers Union.
He contested the 1963 election, under the banner of Citizens Federation, together with A.D. Patel and Sidiq Koya
Sidiq Koya
Siddiq Moidin Koya was a Fijian Indian politician and Opposition leader. He succeeded to the leadership of the mostly Indo-Fijian National Federation Party on the death of the party's founder, A.D. Patel, in October 1969, remaining in this post until 1977...
. All three won convincingly and went on to form the Federation Party
National Federation Party (Fiji)
The National Federation Party is a Fijian political party founded by A.D. Patel in November 1968, as a merger of the Federation Party and the National Democratic Party...
in 1964.
He was an active member of the Fiji Teachers Union
Fiji Teachers Union
Fiji Teachers Union is a union representing elementary and secondary education teachers in Fiji. It is a member of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, and Education International....
and was its president in the 1950s and early-1960s, retiring from the position in 1967.