News
 		 

LTTE backs grand Tamil alliance
By Chirs Kamalendran
Amidst new strategic alliances in the south, the LTTE also is reportedly taking steps for the formation of a grand Tamil alliance to contest upcoming elections. This follows a meeting between LTTE Political Wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan and Upcountry People's Front leader Periyasamy Chandrasekaran on Friday.

CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman told The Sunday Times his party would decide on such a proposal when it was put to it. The UPF yesterday confirmed that Mr. Thamilselvan had wanted him to work towards establishing an alliance to strengthen the Tamil voice at a future election. A UPF spokesman said Mr. Chandrasekaran would send formal invitations within the next few days to the CWC and other smaller Tamil groups in the upcountry to join the alliance.

He said the UPF would be prepared to jointly contest with the CWC, if it agreed. Mr. Thamilselvan told Mr. Chandrasekaran the Tamil parties could be the deciding factor at a future election if they contested together.

On Wednesday Mr. Chandrasekeran speaking at the Pongu Thamil celebrations in the eastern province called on Tamils to work in unity to strengthen the hands of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. He said that if war broke out, they were ready to fight together.

Before the 2000 elections, the LTTE played a major role in bringing NorthEast Tamil parties together in a Tamil National Alliance which won 15 seats. The EPDP and PLOTE did not join the TNA, but Mr. Thamilselvan said on Friday that the LTTE was prepared to work with them also.
Top  Back to News  

Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. All rights reserved.