Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader Rajavarothiam Sampanthan says he stands by his decision to support Opposition common candidate General Sarath Fonseka.
Speaking to the Sunday Times on the telephone from Trincomalee, Mr. Sampanthan said he had no “secret understanding” with General Fonseka. “I have no secret pact with anyone,” he said. “This is only election propaganda from the opposite camp.”
Members of the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) allege that the TNA had agreed to back the multi-party United National Front (UNF) at Tuesday’s poll only after having bargained with the former Army Commander for a merger of North and East, among other demands.
Mr. Sampanthan said he had met both President Mahinda Rajapaksa and General Sarath Fonseka and presented them with the same TNA wish list before announcing the TNA decision on January 6.
The dismantling of the high security zones; the demilitarisation of the North and East; the resettlement of displaced persons, and the assurance of freedom of movement were among several issues Mr. Sampanthan had raised with President Rajapaksa and General Fonseka.
“Mahinda Rajapaksa’s response was disappointing,” the Trincomalee Member of Parliament said. “Our decision to back General Fonseka was, more than anything, based on our understanding that there was a need to defeat Mahinda Rajapaksa.”
“Mahinda Rajapaksa has a hidden agenda,” he said. “He wants to win the election, but not the mandate of the Tamil-speaking people.”
Without giving details, Mr. Sampanthan said General Fonseka’s response to TNA concerns was “better”.
Meanwhile, the pro-LTTE website TamilNet has said the Tamil diaspora was not supportive of the TNA’s stand in the Presidential election.
“The announcement by Mr. Sampanthan comes amid strong opposition from the Tamil diaspora against supporting either Sarath Fonseka or Mahinda Rajapaksa.
|
E-mail
