Split in five-party TNA coalition imminent

by S. Selvakumar

In-fighting in the TNA points to an imminent split of the five-party coalition ahead of the Northern Provincial Council elections scheduled for early September this year.

According to Tamil political sources, the split could lead to the main component ITAK led by Trincomalee district parliamentarian R. Sampanthan and the EPRLF, EROS, TELO and the TULF group breaking away.

The rut set in when the coalition parties except the ITAK wanted the TNA to be registered as a political party with the Elections Commissioner while the ITAK leader Sampanthan paid scant regard to the request and wanted the remaining constituent parties to contest elections on the ITAK symbol, House.

The TNA contested the last Eastern Provincial Council elections also under the House symbol.

Tamil political sources said the constituent parties of the TNA would hold further discussions on this matter and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) before May 31 to iron out any differences.

Asked to comment on the prevailing situation within the TNA, its Secretary and Jaffna district parliamentarian, Mavai Senathirajah said that it will not be a problem and added that the hatchet had already been buried and was piqued why the Sunday Observer wanted to dig into it. ”All newspapers have published it and why mention it again and again,” he queried.

TULF leader and former parliamentarian V. Anandasangaree expressed disappointment at the ongoing things within the TNA and recalled how the TULF toiled to work for the welfare of the North/East Tamil population after the demise of S.J.V. Chelvanayakam in 1977 but its good work has been forgotten by the present leaders.