TNA seeks two key ministry portfolios in EP

by P. Krishnaswamy

The TNA that was aspiring for the Chief Minister’s (CM) post in the Eastern PC following the victory of President Maithripala Sirisena, whom it supported, at the January 8 Presidential poll and the formation of the United Alliance Government, now seeks two key ministry portfolios – land and education – consequent to the SLMC forming the Council administration and taking over the CM’s position. TNA Eastern PC member and former parliamentarian for Batticaloa, Govindan Karunakaram told the Sunday Observer that the allotment of two ministry portfolios and Vice Chairmanship of the Council in terms of their MoU with the SLMC is still pending and they would demand the key portfolios of land and education to offset their foregoing the CM’s position.

When asked about it, authoritative SLMC sources said that the undertaking as per the MoU will be fulfilled during discussions this week. But since the MoU does not specify any particular ministry to the TNA, they cannot say whether the ministries desired by the TNA would be given to them, the sources said.

While the TNA secured 11 seats in the Eastern PC, the SLMC which secured seven seats formed the Council administration in the Alliance with the UPFA which had 14 seats thus having 24 in the alliance. Many members of the PC, commended the compromise and goodwill of the TNA and said that such an approach would help towards further strengthening mutual brotherhood, harmony and economic prosperity to the region as a whole.

PC member Shibly Farook said that in spite of the many contradicting views expressed over the CM’s position to the SLMC, the TNA has adopted a lofty approach giving first preference above all to communal harmony and goodwill.

Another instance where they have expressed their goodwill is their unanimous support to the 2015 Budget of the Eastern PC, he said.