Rajapaksa factor in the upcoming General Election:

Maithri - Mahinda combination will help a UPFA victory - Susil

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

'A Maithri- Mahinda combination will be the panacea to win the next General Election'- this is the contention expressed by SLFP National Organiser, MP Susil Premajayantha.Commenting on the UPFA's chances of winning the next General Election, he said if the UPFA unites and contests under one banner under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena with the support of former President, Mahinda Rajapaksa the party can win the coming General Election.

MP Premajayantha in an interview with the Sunday Observer said that he is confident that the UPFA could win the minority vote at the next General Election under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena in the same way he won the hearts of the minorities at the last Presidential Election.

With the support of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the UPFA can also muster the support of the Southern voters and this would be a good combination.

The incumbent President is there for five years. Any Prime Minister elected at the General Election will have to work with the President and minorities should not entertain any fear because the incumbent President would be in office for the next five years..

Q: How far is the UPFA prepared for the General Election?

A: We have discussed the selection of candidates and appointed nomination boards and called for applications from candidates other than sitting members. Then we will start the process in the next couple of days.

Q: Has a decision been taken on accommodating former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the UPFA ticket?

A: If the former President is ready to contest or get actively involved in the UPFA's election campaign at the next General Election, I don't see any objection in him being involved. If the former President wishes to contest, he can be given nominations.

Q: There is a consensus that MPs facing corruption and other charges should not be given nomination. What is your decision?

A: There are allegations against some MPs. But according to the Constitution, until somebody is proved guilty, they have to be considered as being innocent. However, when we select candidates, the nomination board will take into consideration all these facts.

Q: What is the criteria you will be looking for when giving nominations? Do you plan to give more opportunities to women?

A: Of course, we are seriously considering that aspect as well. At the same time, when we contest as the UPFA, there are 14 registered political parties who are members of the alliance. So we have to accommodate all 14 political parties. It is the duty of the UPFA constituent parties also to nominate women candidates. We will try to give maximum opportunity for women.

Q: There are conflicting views among various factions of the UPFA with a significant number of MPs still apparently loyal to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. How do you plan to reconcile the different camps and factions to face the UNP?

A: That is why we want to get the support of the former President and all members representing the UPFA and the SLFP and to unite all the constituent parties of the UPFA. We had a cordial discussion with UPFA leaders on Wednesday as well. I have been entrusted to speak to President Maithripala Sirisena and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

I will try my best to report to the UPFA leaders and to reach some a consensus.

Q: Are you happy with the decision taken to hold the election according to the existing PR system?

A: The majority of the people want the preferential system to be abolished and want one MP for one electorate.

That is why a team is working to introduce new electoral reforms without giving rise to any controversy.

Even on Wednesday, we had a lengthy discussion and we want to introduce a new system. If all parties or the majority of the parties agree, we can go ahead with it after passing the new electoral reforms with a two thirds majority.

If the House is of the opinion that we should go ahead with delimitation and hold elections according to the new electoral reforms, we can do so.

But if the majority maintains the view that though the new electoral reforms are passed with a two thirds majority, but want the present system for the coming election then we will have to stick to the latter.

Q: Do you agree that local bodies should come under a Commissioner and these elections should be held after the General Election and will it be disadvantageous to the UPFA?

A: We are not talking about advantages or disadvantages. Our policy is once the term of the local authorities expires, then we have to call for elections and let the people select their representatives.

According to new local government election laws, delimitation is already over.

I don't see any reason in delaying the gazetting of the Delimitation Commission report. We request the Government to gazette the Delimitation Commission report and delimitation as well. Then they can call for nominations for Local Government Elections.

Q: What is the SLFP's strategy to win the Tamil and Muslim votes which it lost during the last Presidential Election?

A: President Maithripala Sirisena won the hearts of minorities at the last Presidential Election. We can win minority parties under the leadership of the President. On the other hand, there are many party stalwarts in the South who are in favour the former President.

With the former President's support, we can win the hearts of the Southern voters. This is a good combination. The people are well aware, the incumbent President is there for five years.

Even if we elect a Prime Minister, he will have to work with the President. The minorities need not entertain any fear because the President is there.

Q: Some dissident SLFPers allege that the Dinesh-Wimal-Vasu-Gammanpila troika could cause more damage than support to the SLFP in an election. Your comments?

A: There are different opinions. But we should analyse the earlier political situation and the prevailing one. We should have a political strategy to win the next General Election. That is what we should do. It is okay to analyse it but there is no need to make allegations against any political party or politician.

Q: Are you hopeful of a UPFA victory at the General Election?

A: If we unite and contest under one banner with the leadership of the incumbent President and also seek the support of the former President, we can win the next General Election.