JVP still committed to its ideologies - Vijitha Herath

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

The JVP led Democratic National Alliance (DNA) says as no single party - UNP or SLFP - can form a government, the DNA will be the decisive factor in forming a government on April 9.

The DNA Secretary Vijitha Herath said that the JVP still propagates to ideology and it would continue to be the alternative force in the country.

Following are the excerpts of the interview:

Q: Do you still propagate the ideology of your late leader Rohana Wijeweera or you have changed your stance?

A: There is no change in our ideology. The JVP is founded on it and will carry forward the same ideology in future as well. The some JVP still exists! The JVP is still a patriotic force in the country and which fights when country's unity and sovereignty are threatened.

Q: The JVP was considered to be the third force in the country earlier and do you think that you have lost that status under new alliance?

A: We are not the third force but the alternative force. The conventional political parties have already proved that they cannot solved the burning problems of the country.

Therefore, the need of the hour is a new alternative force. We want to form a government which can eradicate bribery, corruption and wastage. We hope that the new Alliance can do it.

Q: What is the main purpose of forming an alliance?

A: The DNA is a party formed by the people who loved this country. We have formed the DNA to fight corruption and to lead the country to prosperity. The DNA wants to use the war victories for the betterment of the country's future.

Q: Why did you decided to change the decades-old party symbol into 'Trophy'? Do you believe you have a good vote base now?

A: We have not changed the JVP symbol and it still exists. See what has happened to the SLFP symbol, the Hand. No one knows about its.

The JVP takes timely decisions that suit the country. Such decisions will bring victory to the country. The decision of the JVP to contest under a new alliance is such a move. Sarath Fonseka is not a JVPer. The DNA make up of those who can look forward to a better future. We are confident that the people who want a change, would vote for us.

Q: Why the JVP did not agree to contest under the JVP symbol at the April 8 polls?

A: Why don't you ask the SLFP as to why they don't contest under their symbol - hand? Once again I reiterate that the issue is not the symbol but the need for a strong alliance to bring back democracy.

The country needs a government which can eradicate corruption, misuse of public money. It also needs a strong legal system to bring the wrongdoers to book and to make people more disciplined. We are confident the DNA has the ability to achieve these objectives.

Q: Do you think the JVP has a future in the new alliance?

A: As I said earlier, the JVP is the only political party that can lead the country in the proper direction. Here the new alliance will be the driving force and we will extend our political activities to the four corners of the country.

We will have a wider political spectrum to bring all patriotic people together in pursuit of a common goal. Therefore, the JVP has to play a vital role in the DNA.

Q: On what theme does the DNA fight the forthcoming polls?

A: Our main objective is to strengthen democracy and reconciliation and eradicate corruption and wastage.

Q: After the Parliamentary polls will the JVP give up the DNA?

A: No, the JVP will continue to be with the DNA and will help expand its political spectrum. We also plan to get the support of political parties and individuals, who are not in the DNA.

Q: It is claimed in certain quarters that the UNP is the only party that can come to power after the UPFA. Do you agree?

A: Neither the UNP nor the SLFP can form a government without forming alliances. There is no future for these parties and they cannot come to power on their own.

In 1994 as the PA could not form a government it got the support of Ashrof. The same thing happened in 2004 to the UPFA, which had only 105 MPs.

The UPFA could not appoint the Speaker. Although these main political players boast of their victories, we will see who will come to power on April 9. It is clear that the 'Trophy' will become the decisive factor on April 9.

Q: Do you think that the UNP is strong and stable enough to form a government without the support of the JVP or the DNA?

A: No. Today none of these political parties can come to power on their own. The progressive and patriotic people have rallied round the DNA. The UNP or the SLFP will have to get the DNA's support to form a government on April 9.

Q: Rumours were afloat that the UNP would join the government to form a national government. Will the JVP too join the government?

A:The JVP or DNA will not join the UPFA. It is very clear. But if the UNP agreed to join the government, a large number of UNPers will abandon the party. I don't think that the UNP leadership will make such a vague decision.

Q: It is said that the JVP will further lose its vote base at the forthcoming polls. What do you have to say?

A: No, we will become stronger and we will be the main force to decide the country's future.

Q: Some strong JVPers accuse that their party misled them, firstly by forming an alliance with the UNP and secondly by contesting the Parliamentary polls under a new alliance. What is your comment?

A: No JVPer has accused the party on this issue. Some interested parties try to create such an opinion to gain political mileage. But our members are aware of such gimmicks and they cannot be misled.