Biman Prasad
Early life and education. Prasad was born in Dreketi in Vanua Levu and was educated at Muanidevo Indian School, Dreketi Junior Secondary School and Labasa College. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and economics from the University of the South Pacific, he pursued a Masters of Commerce from the University of New South Wales and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Queensland. He married Rajni Chand in 1986. They have two children. Academic career. Prasad became a lecturer at the University of the South Pacific in 1986. He was President of the USP staff  Association from 1999 - 2006, head of the School of Economics from 2003 to 2007, and Professor of Economics and Dean of the faculty of Business and Economics from 2007 to 2011. He is Associate Editor of the "Journal of Fijian Studies" and Editor-in-Chief of the "Journal of Pacific Studies". Professor Prasad has published several books and journal articles. He has done consultancy work for many regional and international agencies and governments in the South Pacific region. In April 2014, Prasad resigned as Professor of Economics from the University of the South Pacific to pursue a political career. He  continues to hold Adjunct Professorships at the Griffith University, James Cook University and Punjabi University in Patiala, India. Political ideology Prasad's political ideology leans towards one of social democratic participation of people in legislative affairs. The National Federation Party which Prasad is the current leader of has historically been based around values of progressivism. Political career. Prasad stood as a candidate for the National Federation Party in the 1999 election, but was unsuccessful. In 2001, he was nominated as President of the party, but declined. In March 2014 Prasad was elected as leader of the NFP. He competed in  the 2014 election, winning 8,097 votes, the fourth highest-ranked candidate. His party received 5.2 percent of the popular vote and 3 of the 50 parliamentary seats. Prasad subsequently became the "Shadow Minister for Finance, Planning and National Statistic"s and "Chairman of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee". He was re-elected at the 2018 elections, winning 12,137 votes. On 25 July 2021 Prasad was arrested by Fijian police after criticising government moves to amend land legislation.