Political parties should settle scores while in power

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa said instead of making any constructive criticism against the Government, the main Opposition UNP has resorted to criticising their own party. Whatever the challenges it won’t pose any problem to the Government due to the internal conflict within the UNP itself. Commenting on the leadership crisis of the UNP, Minister Weerawansa said that he sees Sajith Premadasa as a political neophite who should have taken a lesson from President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Even before President Rajapaksa took office he always sorted out whatever issues when his party was in power. If somebody clashes with the leadership when his party is in the Opposition, partymen will take it as an attempt to betray the party and support its political opponents, the Minister told the Sunday Observer .

The Minister said if any politician goes against certain decisions taken by his Leader when his party is in power, partymen would view it as an attempt to enlighten the Government. Therefore, if Sajith Premadasa had a genuine desire to takeover the UNP leadership, he should have been a key player supporting Ranil Wickremesinghe at the last presidential election. Wickremesinghe, willingly or unwillingly would have considered to give the party leadership to Sajith in such a scenario.

Sajith Premadasa has been politically displaced due to his lack of political understanding and some hasty decisions taken. There is a possibility that Sajith Premadasa would be expelled from the party by his Leader before the next presidential election.

If a request is made by the partymen to nominate Sajith Premadasa as the next UNP presidential candidate, Wickremesinghe would definitely prevent it due to the present leadership crisis within the party, the Minister said.