By Uditha Jayasinghe and Rathindra Kuruvita
With the main parties not being invited to join the ‘Grand Alliance’ proposed by the SLFP(M), it is fast turning into a ‘Grand Farce.’
The JVP, SLMC and the CWC told The Nation that they had not been contacted to form such a front. Rather, SLMC and the CWC with the assistance of other minority parties were in the process of forming a ‘Minority Alliance’ instead. The JVP when contacted insisted that there was no plan to form a ‘Grand Alliance’ with the UNP or any other opposition party, and that if such a step is taken they would simply support the Alliance, “on a case by case basis.”

“We will support the UNP or any Grand Alliance on any issue or stance that would be of beneficial to the masses,” said JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath adding that they have no plans to tie up with the UNP on a permanent basis. He maintained that their main focus was to assist the country on national problems and any feasible solution that is proposed would gain their support. The JVP was emphatic that it would not tie up with the ‘Grand Alliance’ on an electoral platform.

Similarly, SLMC Secretary Hassan Ali was unclear about any future plans by the ‘Grand Alliance’ or the UNP, and was uncertain about what the party stance would be regarding such a ploy. However, he maintained that the party was keen to form a ‘Minority Alliance’ and would be participating in a second round of talks with the CWC, Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Western People’s Front (WPF) and Up-Country People’s Front (UPF) later this week.

“The Minority Alliance is focussed on dealing with common issues pertaining to the hardships faced by the people in the North and East Provinces. Even though ideologically there may be contrasts when it comes to common minority issues, we are trying to stand together to protect the rights of our people. For example there are certain programmes that are being implemented in the north and east under the guise of development projects but we see other agendas behind them. These are supported by the government and we need a collective front to address these issues,” he said.

Moreover, the CWC has not been invited to such an Alliance either, with Party Secretary R. Yogarajan pointing out that the supposed “party discussion” that was reported to have been held last week, being nothing more than a “casual meeting among parties.” He also stated that CWC would be nominating a party representative to carry forward discussions for the “Minority Alliance.”

Meanwhile, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake claimed that at a meeting between Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and SLFP Mahajana Wing Leader Mangala Samaraweera, the proposal for a Grand Alliance was discussed but no further action has been taken.
“There was a proposal to build an Alliance against the government but no further action was taken regarding the proposal,” Attanayake said.

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