Appointment of Chief Minister:

Act fairly, avoid discrimination and bloodbath

The provincial council elections in the East have been concluded and the people have spoken, declaring the UPFA the clear winner. But, the UNP and the SLMC are not willing to accept the verdict of the Elections Commissioner. Unless the courts declare otherwise, the verdict must be accepted.

The UNP must be satisfied that it has done remarkably well, given that security reasons did not permit the party to go flat out. Also, had the election been completely free and fair, the UNP may have even tilted the scales.

One reason adduced for the UNP failing to do well in Batticaloa at this election, affecting its overall performance, was the party’s failure to contest the Batti local government polls that were swept by Pillaiyan’s party.

Obviously, Pillaiyan’s support base has eroded in the face of a contest as the local polls were largely uncontested. Usually, in the first flush of victory, the party that wins betters its electoral support in the second showing. The trend may be different in Local polls, as the local institutions deal with issues like providing amenities.

The eastern provincial council was an ideal test round for a general election that is due in two years. If the result is anything to go by, the UPFA, despite the incumbency factor, four years after the last general election has cleared the hurdle but would not be too complacent as the Chief Opposition UNP has done remarkably well.

But, the bigger problem for the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government is obviously in the selection of the Chief Minister.

President Rajapaksa had an unwritten agreement with M.L.M. Hisbullah and Pillaiyan that he would appoint the one that secures the most number of seats for the UPFA by securing more votes from either community. The number of preferences was not to be the criteria for the chief ministership.

Hisbullah secured 08 seats securing some 37,000 of the 83,000 registered Muslim votes amounting to less than half the number while Pillaiyan secured six seats from some 41,000 Tamil votes of the 225,000 total Tamil votes, amounting to 20 percent.

Accordingly, Hisbullah was the likely candidate to be made the chief minister, but such an appointment has ramifications for the Tamils as the eastern province would become entrenched as a Muslim-led provincial council. This would end any hope of a future merged north east provincial council. Not, only has the courts ordered a demerger, the Muslims have given Hisbullah eight seats over Pillaiyan who received six.

Pillaiyan was likely to face the wrath of the Tamils in Batticaloa who have already demanded that he become Chief Minister or withdraw support from the UPFA. The matter must be resolved without a bloodbath between ethnic communities.

Finally, whoever who becomes chief minister must ensure that all three communities in this province are not discriminated, lest it leads to further ethnic clashes. Development beckons the East and the eastern people, comprising Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese, who have long suffered must be given a better deal. After all the violence, deprivation and suffering, they deserve it. The efforts of the forces must be appreciated for clearing the East and making this election possible after 20 years.

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