Sivanesathurai Santhirakanthan (nom de guerre Pillayan), Chief Minister of Eastern Province said politics is a great mode to reach people than an armed struggle, which he had tried out when he was in the LTTE. In an interview with the Hindu newspaper, the Chief Minister said welcomed the Eastern Provincial Council elections held this May, as "an excellent practical step." Equally important, he said, is "to strengthen the Council" and win peoples' confidence.
"In an armed struggle, we execute orders, nothing more; but in politics, particularly as Chief Minister, I will act according to the needs of the people, and perform in a way to win voters' confidence.
In the armed struggle, one thinks of destroying the opponent, but one cannot think like that in politics. One has to reach the ends politically. There is a huge difference," he said.