ACMC to contest polls under Elephant symbol

by Naalir Jamaldeen

The All Ceylon Muslim Congress (ACMC) led by Industries and Commerce Minister Rishard Bathiurdeen will join the UNP to contest the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

ACMC General Secretary Y.L.S. Hameed told the Sunday Observer that the congress will contest under the UNP's Elephant symbol in beeping with the understanding arrived at between the two parties prior to the recent presidential elections.

Minister Bathiurdeen currently faces a probe by the Bribery Commission on a complaint about his role as a minister in the previous UPFA government.

Asked on what basis the party had arrived at this decision, Hameed said that the party's vote base will not be strong enough to contest independently outside the North and the East.

“When we crossed over we came to an understanding with the UNP that we would contest in several districts with the UNP.

The party has not held any discussions in with the UNP so far in this regard”, Hameed said.

When Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Secretary General and State Minister M.T. Hasan Ali was asked about their stance at the forthcoming general election he said that the party has not decided as yet with whom to contest the election.

The Sunday Observer reliably learns that the SLMC is planning to hold discussions with the UNP for a possible tie-up during the forthcoming general election.

They will be discussed before reaching agreement on the election campaign.

Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) President Muthu Sivalingam said the CWC had not decided yet with whom to contest during the election. The SLFP is holding discussions to form a National Government. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that Parliament would be dissolved next month.