By T.Rusiripala
Last LG elections has become a strategic watershed for the continuation of the National Government. Awaken from a long slumber both MS and RW wings of the NG have started course corrections and manoevours. These range from each party considering the possibility of going alone and other speculations including crossovers. joining hands with the former SLFP colleagues now standing distanced with the formation of the Flower Bud. For the RW fraction the main issue appears to be the public clamor demanding the resignation of the PM and a change in the Party structure.
In this scenario many things are happening. The SLFP re-unity which is only possible with the Rajapakse blessings appears to be an uphill task. Because some in the NG now will find this an excuse to cross over to the UNP. And the Rajapakse phenomenon too will be conditional upon some difficult commitments they would obviously demand. It will also not be practically possible for the SLPF to carry on a government with only extended support from the JO.
State of affairs that prevail in the UNP wing is different. They too will need additional support from outside the party to establish the required majority. As they have already mobilized all such support there is very little hope to get direct participation in a government headed by the UNP. JVP as we are aware will be the odd man out as always. But the problem confronting the UNP is more chronic. There is internal revolt now surfacing and transuding to the public that the party leadership and the premiership held by the leader has to be changed. This also gives the indication that the UNP shall with this change go ahead with the NG their coalition partner as before. There appear to be a huge resistance to this move as the leader is not ready to step down at any cost. It was also reported that at some point of time after the LG elections the President had asked PM to consider stepping down at which stage some foreign representations were made against the move . Ever since, sinister moves are taking place to circumvent the growing opposition and the concern to change the PM. It was also reported that the constitutional refuge sought by the PM to remain is to be examined by the legal arms of the Government. The issue before the UNP hierarchy is whether they should bow down to the mounting pressure for the removal of their leader who has continuously failed to bring a meaningful political victory to their party or resort to any other sacrificial measures at a huge cost to the country, party and the people for the sake of retaining him In the position.
Country was not interested in a Cabinet reshuffle or changing a few faces as a façade. They wanted a serious change which would pave the way for a smooth governance to continue. It is no secret that the road was too bumpy and full of frictions the way how the NG has preceded so far. Not only due to the election debacle but due to many other obvious reasons the call for the removal of the PM stands justified. It is very unfortunate that the issue has taken such proportions on a matter which could have been addressed in a much simple form . In a democratic set up the resignation of a MP, a Minister or a Prime Minister is not such a messy thing. In bigger countries and under more simpler circumstances political leaders have respected democracy to give vent to related opinion. If the PM decides similarly the party as well as the coalition partners will be saved of great embarrassments.
A no confidence motion is required to force out a person who is unwilling to leave in situations where his departure is warranted. No such motions will be required if one can assess a situation and take decision by himself. The party can meet and decide on the next best. Well known as the Iron Lady of Britain, Margaret Thatcher , was the seventh among of the longest serving Prime Ministers of UK .She resigned as PM and party leader in November 1990 when there arose a challenge to her leadership from the Party. She did so without any fuss. She was Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990 and the leader of the Conservative party from 1975 to 1990. John Major succeeded her with a democratic decision the party took to change her. There are many democratic ways how any right thinking person could bow down to mounting antipathy.
No amount of rhetoric centered round ostensible solutions such as “radical restructuring” which have soon evaporated into thin air will be acceptable as of any credibility. Not even the purported cabinet reshuffles proposed. People regard these ruses as red-herrings to divert attention from the main issue. Did the People of this country ask the government to appoint Fonseka as the minister in charge of the Police? Then why is this hullabaloo ? Why have they started to look for a strong man and not a strong police ? To scare whom? And in the process try to win over and woo some who await police actions against them? In the process of looking for a strong man amidst lot of opposition the UNP wing is unwittingly admitting that those who held this post so far have been not up to the mark or weak.
Let more important things be dealt in a more responsible manner. People are mindful of what is happening. Any further laxities will only pave the way for a return back to square one. Country first should be the most respected slogan. Parties and individuals come second. No time should be lost debating and creating controversies. Time belongs to the people and not the politicians struggling to survive under any circumstances. If such interests are suppressed the consequences the country will have to face would be grave. Although people are aware that ultimate power is in their hands they will prefer it to be democratically exercised through their elected representatives.
