5th Column
Winning battles on a political minefield
View(s):My Dear General,
I thought of writing to you when I heard that the political party that you formed had finally been granted official recognition by the Commissioner of Elections. I suppose congratulations are in order but I’m afraid there is much more to be done.
Of course, General, we remember you as one of the men who was responsible for winning the war and regardless of what you have been accused of-and found guilty of-you will remain a hero in the eyes of most people-which is why some people don’t like you.
For many, it is hard to understand how you, who risked your life to defeat the terrorists, can be suddenly tried on some frivolous charges and sent to jail to serve a prison sentence while some of the terrorists you fought sit in Parliament and enjoy ministerial privileges!
It is equally baffling that when the children of ministers assault army officers, charges against them are mysteriously dropped by the Attorney General who however chose to prosecute you with great zeal. But then, General, as they say, this is the miracle of Asia so we shouldn’t be surprised.
I am sure you must have realised already after the last presidential election that winning a war and winning elections are two entirely different issues. You may have also felt that while people generally followed the rules and obeyed orders in a war, they don’t do so in an election!
I think you have also demonstrated that clever military strategists don’t necessarily make good politicians. Pardon me for saying so, but I think Prabhakaran shares that distinction with you because some of his political decisions-such as ordering Rajiv Gandhi’s killing-were downright silly.
I hope you have learnt from your political mistakes, General. Even if winning recognition from the Commissioner of Elections is an essential first step, I worry about your future prospects. That is because you seem to have trouble retaining the loyalties of the few devoted supporters you once had.
Not so long ago, some people from the Green camp, a few rathu sahodarayas, and Captain Cool were your ardent supporters. The Greens have all but left you in the lurch, the rathu sahodarayas have problems of their own and Captain Cool has also kept his distance.
Then we heard how you invited Her Ladyship when she too-like you-fell out of favour with you-know-who after enjoying a few years of patronage and privileges. In what was a very wise decision, Her Ladyship ignored your call.
Now, what you and Her Ladyship have in common are only standing up for what you believe is right, regardless of the consequences. And of course, both of you have now lost your pension in return for the outstanding services you provided to our country!
We heard you also saying that the opposition was as bad as the government. I cannot agree with you more because both the Reds and the Greens have been fighting within their own parties instead of fighting the Blues.
The Reds, for all their enthusiasm and their slogan shouting were never a force to be reckoned with and it is hard to see them suddenly forming a government. At best, they will be a distant third so I don’t think joining forces with them would be a wise choice.
As for the Greens, I think they need to first sort out who their leader is and whether that leader is capable of leading them to an election victory instead of happily being the Leader of the Opposition forever.
And I am sure you must know by now that the Green Man handed you the nomination at the last big election only because he knew that he had no chance at all against Mahinda maama. So, all he was doing was giving you a bit of political rope to hang yourself with-and you fell for it!
Now, the big question is whether your entry into the fray will solve the opposition’s problems. I have a feeling that it might in fact have the opposite effect: it might divide the opposition even more. If that happens, Mahinda maama will be laughing all the way to Temple Trees at the next elections as well!
Then there is the small issue of your civic rights, General. As things stand now, you don’t have your civic rights so you cannot contest any election. I am not sure where that leaves you unless of course you-know-who restores your civic rights-but that is not likely to happen, is it?
A little bird whispers that the good wife who stood by you through thick and thin would be able to contest on your behalf but I still think it would be naïve to expect her to emerge a winner in the manner that Sirima or Chandrika did; she is more likely to follow in the footsteps of Srima!
Think about all these issues, General. We must wish you well not only because you as a true war hero deserve better but also because our country deserves an opposition as strong as the government it has got.
Yours truly,
Punchi Putha
PS-It is interesting that the symbol of your newly recognised party is the ‘burning flame’. To me, it looks somewhat similar to the logo of the Petroleum Corporation. And I certainly hope that your party would avoid the fate that befell the Petroleum Corporation-that of ending up in a sorry mess of massive proportions!
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