JOINT OPPOSITION ALLIANCE – NOW OR NEVER
Posted on January 18th, 2016
By M D P DISSANAYAKE
The members of SLFP are concerned about losing their seats in the Parliament if they shift to a new political alliance of the opposition. This fear is clearly the main reason for the delay in the formation of a new Alliance. The President Mahinda Rajapakse was intentionally mislead again by President Sirisena when MR was indirectly coerced in forming his own political machine prior to the General Election in August 2015 at a time MR was not a sitting member of the parliament. This was the first major setback for MR camp since losing power. John F Kennedy said: “Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.”
The SLFP members of parliament, who are currently supportive of the Pro-MR camp have been clearly identified. Yet, as a test case, the SLFP members of parliament who voted against the Budget in 2015 were Rohitha Abeygunawardana, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Dallas Alahapperuma and Mahindananda Aluthgamage. All other SLFP group of members of parliament who were in the MR camp, abstained from voting or did not attend. So far the four members who voted against the budget, have not been replaced by the next in line in the order of preferential votes gained by the party. In reality, well over 40 SLFP members were in MR camp at that time and now on the hindsight it may be argued that the entire block of those 40 SLFP members should have voted against the budget, with the MPs of the parties of MEP, NFF, PHU, etc. This was the second set back for MR camp for missing out on another golden opportunity. Winston Churchill said: ” A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
The dangers of exposing SLFP members are understood. As an alternative, MEP, NFF, PHU, etc can forge an alliance without any further delay. The habit of making announcements through a temple at the Narahenpita will not create an awareness of the Joint Opposition.
The next best opportunity available is to form the Alliance immediately, without waiting for local government elections. The nation need to be educated by the opposition from village to village, explaining the dangers of the policies of the government. New leaders must be found from the grass root levels, set up branches, district committees to take the message in a robust manner.
Now there are indications of a series of planned meetings between President Maithreepala Sirisena and President Mahinda Rajapakse. President Sirisena is upholding what Abraham Lincoln said: ” I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends.”
The Joint Opposition has so far failed to provide a forum for the general public to provide hope and future. The public is fully aware that MR and GR will come to their salvation, their absence from active participation from the Joint Opposition campaigns will not be a deterrent. The general public is always intelligent, but they need a clear vision and an action plan from those who are planning to succeed.
“Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes”. Management Guru Prof. Peter Drucker
January 18th, 2016 at 3:07 pm
MR should NOT leave the SLFP.
WW, Udaya, Dinesh and Vasu want MR because they are SMALL PARTIES. They CANNOT win seats alone.
MR should NOT leave the SLFP for them. There is nothing wrong with the SLFP apart from Maru Sira and CBK.
CORRECT the SLFP by removing Maru Sira and CBK.
IF MR leaves the SLFP then that is the end of him.
MR knows better than ALL OF US. MR has decided NEVER to leave the SLFP. Respect MR – the MOST experienced MP in parliament.
January 18th, 2016 at 3:09 pm
GR should lead the JOINT OPPOSITION GROUP not MR.
When there is GR on one camp and MR on the other it makes it easier for them to MERGE on GOOD conditions.
January 18th, 2016 at 3:55 pm
LORENZO !! NO OFFENCE, JUST TO REMIND ABOUT THE OLD ADAGE:- **OLD ORDER CHANGETH, YEILDING PLACE TO NEW **
MR STILL TALKS THAT HE IS IN THE SLFP, YET VEHEMENTLY TALKS ABOUT HIS NEW PARTY, vis-à-vis SRI LANKA FREEDOM FRONT PARTY.
January 18th, 2016 at 5:12 pm
Yes; the new alliance must be formed soon with or without Mahinda. If Mahinda thinks he or anyone of his family has any place in the SLFP, he is mistaken. The SLFP treats him like a disposable paper. Bandaranaikes and Sirisena loyalists will never give up the party leadership again.
Last time the beneficiaries of the hard work and popularity of Mahinda were the likes of SB Dissanayake. Had he contested by a new party, he is the Opposition Leader today. Sirisena fooled all of us to get the Mahinda group to contest from the UPFA.
If Mahinda doesn’t make a decision now and a third force is created, he should not be allowed to become its leader subsequently when things go wrong for him in the SLFP. The new party should be made up of activists not political refugees. The pioneering and ground breaking leaders of the new party must remain in leadership until the next presidential election in 2019. Former CDF commander Weerasekera must also be in its leadership. Nepotism should be kept out of it.
January 18th, 2016 at 8:00 pm
SW,
I have 2 plans here.
1. We need GR, not MR to lead the NEW SL FREEDOM FRONT. GR’s policies better suit it than MR. I still cannot push aside what MR didn’t do with 13 amendment, Vigneswaran, NOT resettling Singhala and Muslims IDPs, etc.
I’m sure MOST patriots think like me. To tell you the truth, I don’t think MOST PATRIOTS would trust MR today. Patriots are very sensitive people. Once bitten THRICE shy. UNFORTUNATELY, MR lost it.
MR’s Catholic wife and Anglican educated kids are also pulling strings against SINGHALA BUDDHIST values. It is GAME OVER for MR in the hardcore patriotic camp.
SORRY!
GR or we lose.
2. We need someone in the SLFP too who can influence that large party. IF MR is still in the SLFP there is some chance he can take over the party someday.
Then the two can merge.
Let MR’s MODERATELY patriotic values win moderates from the SLFP. MR can also get THONDA, HACK-HIM, DOUGLAS if needed.
We cannot go our journey with them.
January 19th, 2016 at 5:07 am
Look at how Indian Empire has divided the Sinhalese over the years.