Group loses grip on Tamil diaspora:

Pro LTTE candidates fail to secure seats in Canadian polls

by Manjula FERNANDO

Pro LTTE candidates had failed to secure seats at the recently concluded provincial elections in Canada sending a clear signal that the group is losing its grip on the Tamil diaspora and its support base.

The Ontario province, the highest populated in Canada where there is the highest concentration of Tamils went to the polls to elect members for the provincial government on October 6. The Conservative party which holds power at the Centre and the New Democratic Party fielded candidates (one each) that campaigned for LTTE in Canada for the years, in the provincial polls.

The Liberal party, having earned a bad name for their alleged pro-LTTE stance, was cautious not to field anyone who had any affiliation with the LTTE, probably since they were acutely aware of the mindset of Tamil voters in Ontario. “They were cautious not to take on board anyone with LTTE links,” an authoritative diplomatic source told Sunday Observer.

The Liberal party had held power in the provincial Government of Ontario where the Commercial capital Toronto and the administrative capital Ontario are situated, right throughout, although the Conservatives held power at the Centre.

“The Conservatives were determined to seek power in Ontario from the Liberals this time around,” the official said adding that, however, the results would have made them realise that they made a wrong choice by fielding pro-LTTE candidate, Shan Dayabaran to win the minority ethnic vote.

A known LTTE campaigner Neethan Shan was fielded by the NDP.

According to the results released neither party secured a working majority. However, observers say that the Liberal Party which secured 53 seats against the Conservatives’ 37 may go for a coalition with the NDP that won 17 seats.