Aftermath of B’caola polls.......
How do you see the outcome of the Batticaloa Local Government
polls?
Tamil United Liberation Front Leader MP V. Anandasangaree :My
views have not changed. I still believe it is too premature. The
Government could have waited for another two or three months and let the
political parties to get more familiarised with the people of the area.
With this immediate decision to hold the elections there was no room for
other political parties to organise themselves. And, I believe the
Government should have played the role of the umpire and should not have
gone for an alliance with any political party, particularly at that
juncture. Of course we cannot halt political parties’ decisions to form
an alliance. They have the full right to do so. But apart from that I
would say this is 100 times better than the North and East elections
held in 2006. Much much better.
Tamil National Alliance MP N. Sri Kantha: This election is
nothing but an electoral fraud. The people never wanted an election at
this time. The main contesters were in fact were para-military groups
working with the armed forces, the TMVP led by Pillayan and the
EPDP-PLOTE-EPRLF NABA faction alliance, was a clear indication that it
was a Government manipulated, managed political drama. The main
opposition the UNP did not contest. The TNA with the command of four out
of the five MPs from the district were out of the frame. In such a
situation the election took place. Bundles of ballot papers have been
found in ballot boxes. We were in constant touch with our people there
since couple of days prior to the election day. These are adequate to
show that there were malpractices on a larger scale. Hence, the
elections could not have been free and fair.
What is your impression on TMVP’s victory?
Tamil United Liberation Front Leader MP V. Anandasangaree :I
congratulate them for their victory. Now they have won, I am happy that
they agreed to come back and let them now give up their arms completely
and seek Government protection. No one can blame politicians receiving
security from the Government. But the Government will be humiliated if
they are to go with a political group who are having their own security.
So, if security is needed the political parties should seek it from the
Government. Even the TNA politicians, the LTTE members in the Parliament
(I call them in such manner with reasons), have Government provided
security.
Tamil National Alliance MP N. Sri Kantha:What is TMVP? It is a
splinter group of the LTTE. The so called victory of the TMVP is an
empty one, a meaningless one. Even the EPDP led alliance before and
after the election day have registered certain complaints. This show
that the TMVP was to a certain extent was overwhelmed by their victory.
Therefore I repeat this victory has no meaning.
Democracy is rekindling in the East. How do you see that?
Tamil United Liberation Front Leader MP V. Anandasangaree :As
I mentioned earlier, this is 100 times better than the North and East
elections held earlier. If the then elections were ‘democratic’ then
Batticaloa elections can be super democratic. I am sure that the
Government can solve the problem but they must go slow bringing people
back to free thinking.
Tamil National Alliance MP N. Sri Kantha:There is no democracy
at all. Democracy means free and fair opportunity for all those who wish
to participate in the electoral process. Since 1960 July till 1977
elections in this Batticaloa district UNP had either one MP or more than
that. Yet, the UNP did not contest. TNA did not contest because we knew
beforehand that we will not be able to reach people freely. The
atmosphere prevailing was not at all conducive to hold elections.
What were your observations on the overall participation of the
EPDP-PLOTE-EPRLF Naba group alliance?
Tamil United Liberation Front Leader MP V. Anandasangaree :The
parties who have already given up arms and accepted the democratic path
are acceptable. But, some, as people say, with the blessings of the
Government have not totally come to the democratic path. In such
situations, it is very difficult for such an alliance to work. Under
this preferential system, though the three parties contested
collectively, they received votes for individual candidates. Hence, to
an extent it shows the strength of each party.
Tamil National Alliance MP N. Sri Kantha:This alliance too
entred the fray with the blessings of the Government. These two major
contestors, TMVP in one hand and the EPDP led alliance on the other
hand, can be considered as the A team and the B team of the ruling
alliance. The TMVP contested under the UPFA in the Municipal Council and
in Pradeshiya Sabhas as TMVP. Of the other alliance, the EPDP is in the
Government. And PLOTE and EPRLF Naba faction are in support of the
Government.
Batticaloa Local Government elections are now over. What should be
the next step in enhancing the democracy in the East?
Tamil United Liberation Front Leader MP V. Anandasangaree :The
Government should invite all the political parties to contest. When many
political parties start public announcements and campaigning, people
will get enthusiastic about elections and it would create a favourable
environment to hold an election. People’s thinking will get positive
towards an election. In such an atmosphere people will be more
courageous to come forward and cast their vote. It will give a chance
for the people to regroup themselves. It will definitely increase the
credibility of the Government.
Tamil National Alliance MP N. Sri Kantha:You are talking about
enhancing. To enhance there should have been, as for the people are
concerned, a basis for that. The people who have been elected there from
the TMVP are non entities. And to a greater extent from the other party,
the alliance, are also non entities. When there will be a democratic
election these people will not be the representatives of the Batticaloa
district. Why did not TNA contested when we had a strong representation
of the people? These are the questions. Our MPs were out of touch with
their supporters for one and a half years to be precise. They could not
reach the area. There were threats on them and their
Government is looking forward to have the provincial council
elections in the East. How do you see the Provincial Council system for
the East?
Tamil United Liberation Front Leader MP V. Anandasangaree :As
I read in the papers the Government is keen on implementing the 13th
Amendment in full. If they implement it in full surely there will be
more improvement. It should not be merely implementing the 13th
Amendment and holding back certain powers. All the powers under the 13th
Amendment should be devolved. This is the promise the Government has
given. Certainly it will do well.
Tamil National Alliance MP N. Sri Kantha:Well, the Provincial
council system is in place. But that is not the solution to the ethnic
problem we have. If it is so it would have been solved long ago. Again
the Government wants to go for Provincial Council elections. The People
do not want that. The elections are going to be forced on them. This is
rather a sad state. First there should be normalcy. Then the law and
order mechanism should be in place.
Will there be any threats to the newly elected local government
representatives and to their functions from the LTTE?
Tamil United Liberation Front Leader MP V. Anandasangaree :LTTE
activities are unpredictable. They do not know why they do these
activities. How can you justify LTTE carders shooting down innocent
civilians trying to escape from a terrible bomb blast in a bus? They are
now living in frustration. They can never, ever even dream of getting
back to the East. Until they have stocks of ammunition and their cardres
they will continue to hit and run.
Tamil National Alliance MP N. Sri Kantha:I think this is a
question that should be posted to both the LTTE and the elected parties
or either of the parties. I do not know anything about that. How can I
comment on that? But, as these representatives have come through
fraudulent methods, as a democrat I comment, their security is in
question. But certainly we are not for that.
All we need is a peaceful environment. And authentic representatives
despite of which ever the party they are coming from elected from the
free vote of the people.
How do you see the performance of the Muslim parties in the
Batticaloa district polls?
Tamil United Liberation Front Leader MP V. Anandasangaree :The
election in the areas where Muslim majority is living was held during
the previous time. The elections that took place few days back was part
of the previous election that was postponed.
Tamil National Alliance MP N. Sri Kantha:I think the Muslim
Congress has done well. And in the Muslim areas these armed groups
couldn’t do much. Because Muslims as a community, generally speaking,
were immune from the activities of this group. Therefore they were able
to vote as they wanted.
What is the message LTTE gets out of these elections in the East?
Tamil United Liberation Front Leader MP V. Anandasangaree :LTTE
is now aware that they are losing ground. As I conveyed to them very
recently in my message they should give up their dream of a separate
state. They must come to the democratic path. The Government has not
punished any of the para-military groups who later came to democratic
politics. I am sure it will be the same for the LTTE as well.
Tamil National Alliance MP N. Sri Kantha:I think more than the
LTTE there is a message for Tamil people as a whole. The Government
wants to pursue its own military agendas and to achieve that end it is
required to stick to any level, both in political and electoral. This
is, I guess, the message to the LTTE as well. The message is very
disgusting.
Will your party contest in the intended Provincial Council
elections?
Tamil United Liberation Front Leader MP V. Anandasangaree :It
all depends on if a comfortable democracy prevails. And time is needed
to regroup with the people. We will consider it in any case.
Tamil National Alliance MP N. Sri Kantha:Well, we will make a
decision soon. The dominant view is that we should take the bull by its
horn. If we decide to contest I am sure we will win. Personally, I am
for the TNA to participate in the elections.But anyway it is for the
party to decide. |
