The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) today stated that a great deal of uncertainty prevails over many matters pertaining to the recently concluded Provincial Council election.
It is necessary to bring out the truth in regard to all aspects of the Provincial Council election and to ensure that same or similar things do not happen at future elections, TNA Leader R. Sambandan said.
“It is our submission that it was not a free and fair election,” he stated at a press conference.
The repeal of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution and the consequent annulment of the provisions pertaining to independent elections commission, public services commission and police commission facilitated and ensured that the ruling party was able “to have its own way” at the elections, he said.
There was intimidation, bribery, corruption, undue influence, misrepresentation and false propaganda, government resources were used as desired for the purpose of the election by the government, and various projects were either commenced or opened after the nomination in order “to influence the voter,” the Trincomalee District MP claimed.
He alleged that all these matters cumulatively ensured that the government was able to “steal a bare, alleged victory”.
On the issue of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and its crucial allegiance to form an administration in the Eastern Province, Mr Sambandan said the Muslim people who voted for the SLMC demand that it supports the TNA.
He stated that SLMC Leader and Minister Rauf Hakeem had publicly said that he would be ashamed to contest under the betel (UPFA) symbol and that he is happy he contested under the symbol of the tree (SLMC).
“He criticized the government. And the Muslim people voted for him only for the reason that he opposed the government at the election,” he stressed.
The Muslim people are now clamoring that the SLMC must not support the government but must join the TNA in the formation of the administration of the Eastern Provincial Council, Mr Sambandan said.
There was an anxiety to have a Muslim chief minister and the TNA has offered that position to the SLMC. “We stand by that offer,” he declared.
The TNA, SLMC and UNP have collectively obtained 22 seats out of the 37 total membership of the Eastern Province.
He said the three parties that oppose the governing party at the elections have an overwhelming majority and that the ruling UPFA, which has only 15 seats, is therefore not in a position to command the majority in the Eastern Provincial Council.
“And if they can’t command a majority in the Eastern Provincial Council, they can stake no claim to form the government.”
He stated that the TNA’s position is that, the parties which opposed the ruling government during the election must “stay together” and form the government in the Eastern Provincial Council.
