Our vote base in Moneragala stronger - Minister Pushpakumara

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

Nation Building Minister Jagath Pushpakumara says the Government is in a position to win all five seats in the Moneragala district at the upcoming general election. The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said with the establishment of the Nation Building Ministry by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Government has been able to achieve rapid development in the villages countrywide. As a result, the JVP has lost its roots in the village.

Q: The Opposition complains that most of the pledges made by the Mahinda Chinthana have not been fulfilled. How do you respond to this complaint?

A: This is a baseless allegation made by the Opposition due to their political hypocrisy. Before making such allegations, they should go to the country and see for themselves the massive development that has taken place under the Mahinda Chinthana . Over 90 percent of the pledges made in Mahinda Chinthana have been fulfilled by the Government within just five years. The three-decade-old terrorism, the most critical and burning issue in the country, has been eradicated.

Q: Allegations are made by the Opposition on the use of Samurdhi Development Officers to conduct the Government political campaign. Is there any truth in these allegations?

A: I categorically deny it. The Government has not used Samurdhi Development Officers to conduct its political campaign. But they have the right to engage in politics after the official duties. They have the right to extend their support to whatever political party they like.

Q: Do you think the Nation Building Ministry has been able to achieve its objectives?

A: Yes, definitely. Because of the establishment of this Ministry by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Government could ensure rapid development in the villages countrywide. Under the "Gama Neguma" project, this Ministry has played a significant role to uplift the infrastructure facilities in thousands of backward villages in the periphery.

Neither the UNP nor the JVP accepts it due to hypocrisy and hate politics. The JVP politics have been eradicated from the villages. The vital role played by the Nation Building Ministry at village level, has completely alienated the JVP politics in the rural areas.

Q: The Opposition questions whether the two-thirds majority is really essential for the Government to change the Constitution and the electoral system. Your comments?

A: It was the very same UNP which burnt the draft Constitution presented by the then PA Government in parliament several years ago. Though the UNP and several other Opposition political parties pretend that they would extend their support to change the Constitution, they don't in fact have a genuine intention to do so.

As a result, this issue has been dragging for a long time. The President needs a stable Parliament with two-thirds majority to change the Constitution and introduce reforms to the existing electoral system. The President should also have a group of dynamic MPs who will help the Government to cater to the needs of the people expeditiously. I am very confident the Government would be able to obtain the two-thirds majority at the upcoming general election with the blessings of the people. Therefore, this General Election looks like a referendum!

Q: The Opposition says they are in a position to form a Government together with other Opposition parties after the general election. Is it really possible?

A: Not at all. This is another absurd claim by the Opposition. I think the UNP would able to obtain only 15 seats. At present, the JVP is going right round the country carrying Sarath Fonseka's picture only to secure their seats! At present, there is no joint Opposition and they are not in a position to form a Government.

Q: The Opposition alleges that the Government has failed to provide adequate relief to the people after the war. Your comments?

A: This is another baseless allegation levelled by the Opposition due to their political bankruptcy and hypocrisy. It was this Government which reduced the price of a 50 kg bag of fertiliser to Rs. 350 which the former UNP Government sold for Rs. 1050. Despite the war, the Government did not curtail the Samurdhi subsidy or other relief measures taken to improve the lot of the poor people.

While the military operations were being conducted against the ruthless terrorists, the Government continued its development drive by constructing a large number of roads and bridges countrywide. The Government took all possible measures to reduce the burden of the people.

Q: Are you confident of the Government's victory in the Moneragala district?

A: I am very confident that the Government would be able to win all five seats in the Moneragala district. The Government obtained 69 percent of votes from the Moneragala district during last presidential election.