Tamil parties undecided among their “own” common Presidential candidate

Tamil political parties are yet to come to a common understanding on the proposed “common Presidential candidate” from the community despite influential civil society and diaspora-based pressure groups calling major parties to join on such a platform in recent weeks.

Pointing out that the nearly three-decades-long ethnic conflict is yet to be resolved even after fifteen years passed since the war came to an end, the groups argued that the community must utilise the upcoming Presidential polls to show their disappointment by successive governments in the past by voting to a common candidate from the Tamil community rather than voting for any Southern based major candidates.

Tamil Makkal Kootani (TMK) MP C.V. Wigneswaran who is among the Tamil political leaders in favour of fielding a common candidate expressed hopes yesterday that it is feasible to field a Tamil candidate to show the Tamil stand on the upcoming election.

“If required, we can request people to cast their full vote for the Tamil candidate and the second and third preference can be for any other candidates,” the MP told reporters in Jaffna yesterday.

Along with TMK, other major parties such as Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF), Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO), People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) have also expressed their willingness to explore the possibility of field a Tamil candidates in recent discussions held with civil society groups in North.

The major constituent party- Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) is yet to take a final decision on the proposal. Earlier its Parliamentary leader, R. Sampanthan said that the party would take a “sensible and reasonable” decision at the right time once nominations are called, followed by an announcement by the Election Commission.

Another meeting has been organized with representatives of political parties and activist groups on June 9 in Jaffna to discuss the matter further.

Meanwhile,  the General Secretary of the United National Party (UNP) Palitha Range Bandara proposed yesterday that both Presidential and Parliamentary elections be postponed for two years through Parliament followed by a referendum.

So far Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and leader of Peoples’ Liberation Front (JVP) led alliance National Peoples’ Power (NPP) Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced their intention to contest in the upcoming Presidential polls.  – By S.Rubatheesan