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TNA and SLMC in power struggle in East
View(s):Following the appointment of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Councillor Hafeez Nazeer Ahamed as the new Chief Minister of the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) the party has decided to suspend a councillor on the grounds of his misconduct, a senior party leader said.
“He has been removed from the party membership by the leader with the powers vested through the Constitution of the party. Disciplinary action will follow,” SLMC General Secretary Hasan Ali said.
Hafeez Nazeer Ahamed taking his oaths as the Chief Minister of the Eastern Provincial Council in front of Governor Austin Fernando. Pic by Amadoru Amarajeewa
A.M Jameel, an SLMC councillor elected from Ampara who opposed the move to appoint Nazeer Ahamed as the Chief Minister has been removed from the party and its high command committee with immediate effect.
Nazeer Ahamed took oaths before Eastern Province Governor Austin Fernando on Friday. Currently the SLMC has formed the government of the EP with 21 seats.
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which holds the opposition leader’s post in the council had three rounds of talks with the SLMC but could not come to an agreement to form the government in an alliance.
Citing an agreement signed by the SLMC and the United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance in 2012 to form the government, Mr. Ali said the UPFA agreed to step down after two and half years, which period ends next month.
“The TNA was demanding the Chief Minister’s post. We could not agree to it but we are expecting to form a national government in the council cabinet with other parties,” Mr. Ali said.
EPC Opposition leader TNA member Singaravelu Thandauthapani told the Sunday Times his party will not extend its support to the new leadership since the SLMC failed to consult the TNA even at the final stages.
“We had three rounds of talks with them. They were adamant and demanding a Muslim should become the CM. If we are not part of this alliance how can they expect us to support them?” asked Mr. Thandauthapani. (SR)