Defections don’t matter, says Thondaman

by P. Krishnaswamy

Arumugan Thondaman, CWC leader and Minister of Youth Empowerment and Socio Economic Development, commenting on the recent defection of two of his party top-rungers to the Opposition camp, said it was a gross betrayal of the collective decision of the party to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the January 26 Presidential Poll. Their defection, however, would not in any manner affect the CWC popularity among the plantation community and the party’s election campaigns, he said.

The UPFA Government in its four-year administration has implemented far-reaching programs, unprecedented in history, for the social and economic welfare of the community. Much has already been achieved in the spheres of infrastructure, housing, employment to educated youths, health and sanitary issues and welfare, he said.

Commenting on the defectors’ accusation that dictatorship in the party made them quit, Minister Thondaman said that he became leader of the party nine years ago in 2001 and they had not expressed any such sentiments all this time. In fact they fully endorsed the party decision to support President Rajapaksa before and after the submission of nominations.

“Only the defectors should know why they quit”, Thondaman said insinuating that self-interests were at play.

The UPFA, of which the CWC is a constituent, was going before the people after doing much for them in the last four years while Opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka was asking for votes without doing anything; he’s only throwing promises, Thondaman said.

The CWC continued to remain a highly disciplined party since the time of its founder leader Saumiyamurthy Thondaman and never went back on its word on extending political support.

Comparing the CWC to a banyan tree, he said the falling of a few leaves would not do any damage to the tree.

Thondaman said that the CWC would suspend all its meetings and campaigns today and tomorrow as a mark of respect to demised Upcountry People’s Front leader Periyasamy Chandrasekeran and put up whiteflags in Hatton and Talawakelle.