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| Sunday, 16 May 2004 |
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Factional fighting surfaces in the UNP by Our Political Correspondent Young Turks in the United National Party on Monday started to flex their muscles to mount pressure on party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to effect changes to the hierarchy. As the young Turks took the floor at Monday's group meeting, the Old guard of the party kept watching what the next step would be. The UNP leader, a cool customer, played the ball all along the ground to overcome the pressure by appointing a committee headed by party stalwart M. H. Mohamed to recommend necessary changes. Other seniors present did not object to the committee being spearheaded by Mohamed as developments at the meeting with the young Turks looking fiery did not permit intervention. The senior group that identified Mohamed as the "God Father" of the abortive impeachment motion against late President Ranasinghe Premadasa decided to plan out their strategy the same evening. Secret ballot system Young Sajith Premadasa was the first to open at Monday's group meeting. Premadasa who referred to the humiliating defeat at the general election at the hands of the UPFA, called for urgent reforms. However, this young man who once boasted of being the leading figure of the UNP in the Hambantota district, forgot that he too lost his electorate this time despite being elected on the preferences. Premadasa wanted all top positions in the party to be filled through a secret ballot system. Stressing this need he called for the appointment of S. B. Dissanayake as the new General Secretary to replace Wickremesinghe confidante Senarath Kapukotuwa. Premadasa, still a novice in UNP politics did not realize that he had contradicted his position by calling for Dissanayake's appointment. If there is to be a secret ballot, the argument is how could one demand the appointment of his favourite man, a party loyalist questioned. Wickremesinghe in the chair displayed a mischievous grin as Premadasa repeatedly urged that S. B. Dissanayake should be made General Secretary without delay. UNP stalwarts present were heard murmuring that Premadasa was carrying a brief for Dissanayake who had already demanded the post of National Organiser. Premadasa was ably backed in his arguments by his friend, Naveen Dissanayake who found a place in the present Parliament on the National List while Wickremesinghe omitted many seniors to make room for Naveen. Seniors like Gamini Lokuge watched the performance of the two youngsters making proposals at a terrific speed. As Premadasa and Dissanayake sat down, Lokuge rose to his feet to unfold all what he had in mind. He told the party leader that newspapers were trying to show that there were differences within the party because some members in the group even occupied offices before being appointed. "Sir, there are members who identify themselves with positions and ranks yet to be filled by you", Lokuge said turning to his colleague Mahinda Samarasinghe. Continuing, the fearless Lokuge told Wickremesinghe that Samarasinghe had already identified himself as the Chief Opposition Whip and was occupying that office in Parliament. "We do not object to his future appointment in that post if you decide. But when people jump the gun, it is easy for others to speculate that we have differences amongst us", Lokuge pointed out. Recommendations Lokuge told the party leader that the Party should take issue by issue in the attempt to revamp the party and added that young MPs cannot be allowed to nominate or propose their 'favourites'. Sir, if there is to be a secret ballot to all posts, then how can people come here and propose names', Lokuge asked. Wickremesinghe moved that a committee would be appointed under the chairmanship of Mohamed to make necessary recommendations to effect changes to several top positions. Pressure was mounted at the group meeting to remove Malik Samarawickreme and Senarath Kapukotuwa as party Chairman and General Secretary respectively. God Father Mohamed's appointment to head the committee was viewed by several seniors with suspicion. They described Mohamed as the "God Father" of the impeachment that proved futile against late Premadasa. They recalled how Mohamed backed that motion with Lalith Athulathmudali, Gamini Dissanayake, G. M. Premachandra and Lakshman Seneviratne at the beginning and later switched over to support Premadasa. This group of seniors even cited how the then Opposition Leader, the late Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike warned Lalith and Gamini about the trust they had in Mohamed when they had initiated the motion. When the motion was carried for signature to Mrs. Bandaranaike, the Grand Old Lady in politics at that time had asked the UNP rebels whether they could trust Mohamed and warned that Mohamed might change his stance at the last moment". Lalith, Gamini, both of you have a political future and you know how Premadasa would react if it fails", Mrs. Bandaranaike had warned. True to the words of this Grand Old Lady, the impeachment failed and the two young UNP leaders who led the battle had to leave the party. Seniors opposed to Mohamed's leadership in the committee on reforms feel that another Premadasa-Mohamed combination may upset acceptable reforms. They too are planning to give a separate set of proposals to the party leader. Party Chairman Malik Samarawickreme's position is in peril. So is the fate of Senarath Kapukotuwa. The seniors say that an active Member of Parliament who commands respect at grass roots level and could muster the support of the majority of MPs in the party should succeed Samarawickreme. This group is of the view that an MP of the same calibre should replace Kapukotuwa. Allocation of quotas Meanwhile, the government had decided to probe the activities of the Textile Quota Board (TQB) that functioned under former Minister G. L. Peiris. Complaints have been received on irregularities in the allocation of quotas over the two-year period run by the UNF government. It is reported that a top UNPer had obtained quotas meant for allocation in 2004 in the year 2003, which textile industry sources claimed as being highly irregular and was in violation of the TQB Act. UNP insiders say that if these allegations are proved by the UPFA government, a 'top notch' in the party close to the leadership would be named bringing the party into disrepute. Members of the senior group say that Wickremesinghe should not delay making new appointments to the top places and he should not be guided by the recommendations of Mohamed the man of impeachment fame. These days the party seniors are monitoring media reports to see whether Mahinda Samarasinghe would be referred to as Chief Opposition Whip as the party is yet to decide on that post". Many have become self-proclaimed giants in the party after being in Parliament for less than a decade, a party stalwart from Gampaha who has a quarter century experience in Parliament quipped. |
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