The ‘Mano’ factor decisive in control over Colombo
October 10, 2011 01:05 pm
Even thought the United National Party was able to secure a commanding victory over the Colombo Municipal Council, the party has had to put-up quite the battle in order to secure a majority within the CMC, according to political sources.
With 101,920 votes received the UNP managed to win its only Local Government body in the 2011 election and secured 24 seats for the party. However, the gap between the number of seats secured by the UNP and the UPFA is a mere 8 seats and compared to the 11 seats won by other opposition parties this number could prove decisive.
The Mano Ganeshan-led Democratic People’s Front secured 6 seats in the CMC while the SLMC and JVP secured 2 and 1 seats respectively.
Prior to the election Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena had claimed that three UNP candidates were to crossover to the government thereby raising suspicion as to whether they will join the UPFA following the CMC election.
Meanwhile it seems the United National Party has smelt a possible scheme by the government to grab power of the Colombo, as it has scheduled a meeting with Mano Ganeshan, quite possibly to make sure the DPF leader is on their side if worst comes to worst.
I have been invited by UNP leaders such as Ranil, Karu and Mayor elect AJM Muzammil to assist in establishing a majority power in the Colombo Municipal Council, Mano Ganeshan told Ada Derana.
He stated that the political committee of the DPF will extensively discuss the matter today evening in a ‘significant’ meeting upon which the decision will be announced.
However, political sources state that Ganeshan would at least demand the Deputy mayor post for himself or to a fellow party member in exchange for assisting the UNP to establish majority control.
It is said that the 4 seats won by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and the Democratic United Alliance (DUA) will definitely back the ruling government and how the JVP, which currently in an internal crisis of its own, will proceed is doubtful.
With 101,920 votes received the UNP managed to win its only Local Government body in the 2011 election and secured 24 seats for the party. However, the gap between the number of seats secured by the UNP and the UPFA is a mere 8 seats and compared to the 11 seats won by other opposition parties this number could prove decisive.
The Mano Ganeshan-led Democratic People’s Front secured 6 seats in the CMC while the SLMC and JVP secured 2 and 1 seats respectively.
Prior to the election Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena had claimed that three UNP candidates were to crossover to the government thereby raising suspicion as to whether they will join the UPFA following the CMC election.
Meanwhile it seems the United National Party has smelt a possible scheme by the government to grab power of the Colombo, as it has scheduled a meeting with Mano Ganeshan, quite possibly to make sure the DPF leader is on their side if worst comes to worst.
I have been invited by UNP leaders such as Ranil, Karu and Mayor elect AJM Muzammil to assist in establishing a majority power in the Colombo Municipal Council, Mano Ganeshan told Ada Derana.
He stated that the political committee of the DPF will extensively discuss the matter today evening in a ‘significant’ meeting upon which the decision will be announced.
However, political sources state that Ganeshan would at least demand the Deputy mayor post for himself or to a fellow party member in exchange for assisting the UNP to establish majority control.
It is said that the 4 seats won by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and the Democratic United Alliance (DUA) will definitely back the ruling government and how the JVP, which currently in an internal crisis of its own, will proceed is doubtful.
