Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the only credible representative of Tamil people in north Sri Lanka, has offered the top post in the Eastern Province to the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), to form governments.
In elections held last week, the TNA won 11 seats against the 14 secured by the ruling UPFA (United People’s Freedom Alliance) in the 37-member House. The main national opposition party, UNP (United National Party), which has four members, is expected to support the TNA.
To cross the halfway mark, both formations need the support of the Muslim Congress. The SLMC, which contested the elections on its own despite being part of the UPFA government, has claimed that it is yet to make up its mind. The SLMC has been eyeing the post. But it appears that the UPFA wants to give a second term to incumbent Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Santhirakanthan alias Pillaiyan. The SLMC-UPFA negotiations have been on since the results were announced last Sunday.
TNA leader R. Sampantham told presspersons here that one week after the elections there is uncertainty over many matters pertaining to the poll. He accused the ruling combine of stealing the verdict of the people. “I use the word steal deliberately…That is what really happened.” He said the many acts of intimidation on the chief candidate for TNA, Thurai Rajasingam, and TNA supporters and the threats from various quarters were proof of his charge. “His [Mr. Thurai Rajasingam’s] wife received a letter saying that she would be a widow if her husband contested the election,” he said.
