Orange Revolution in the offing
A press release by the
United People�s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Tuesday evening warned
the public of attempts to subvert the democratic process through
escalation of violence. Enumerating various instances of
violence committed by the Opposition against supporters of the
UPFA the statement said persons trained in the use of firearms
have been responsible for some of the incidents of violence.
This shows that they were not spontaneous acts caused by
provocation but pre-meditated and well-planned and executed acts
of crime. Such pre-meditation and execution of violence could
not have been made at local level.
Coupled with these acts of violence one could observe a
well-orchestrated media campaign to discredit the Government. A
plethora of monitoring bodies funded by foreign governments and
others are also active in creating a fear psychosis among the
public by blowing up even lesser offences. These exaggerated
stories are circulated worldwide by their political mentors and
economic benefactors to create a wrong picture of the situation
in the country.
The UPFA statement also warns the public of attempts to
commit large scale election malpractices, such as intimidating
voters and buying or stealing of polls cards. To this should be
added various threats that have been made from election
platforms of the NDF candidate. He has referred to the
possibility of the incumbent President trying to remain in
Office if defeated at the polls. This is a figment of
imagination. In such an event he has threatened to surround the
vital institutions in the capital with his supporters and lay
siege. Perhaps this may be a plan he may be contemplating in
case the results go against him.
What is more likely is that he is trying to create an
impression abroad that the election would be not free and fair.
The absence of the European Union monitors would make it easier.
Given the widespread negative news stories currently in the
international media and attempts by certain western powers to
implicate Sri Lanka in war crimes, one wonders whether there is
an international conspiracy to subvert the electoral process and
plunge the country into anarchy and chaos as it happened
following the last election in Teheran.
It should be recalled that the Western powers have perfected
their espionage activities in all countries that do not go along
with them politically and have on several occasions funded
Opposition parties and groups as well as the expatriate
community of the countries concerned to subvert the people�s
will at elections.
They have on several occasions organized mass protests and
have made countries ungovernable. Perhaps it would not be far
from wrong if one concludes that an Orange Revolution a la
Eastern Europe is in the making Sri Lanka at present.
The safest guarantee against such an eventuality is for the
people to stay calm and exercise their suffrage without fear on
the day of polling. It is for the Elections Commissioner, the
Security Forces and the Police to ensure a healthy environment
for a free and fair poll.
Jyoti Basu
The legendary leader of the Communist Party of India
(Marxist) is no more. After a distinguished service of 70 years
to the downtrodden masses of India he breathed his last on
January 17.
He was active in the Indian Freedom Movement from his student
days in London. On his return to India in 1940 he immediately
joined the Quit India Movement against the British who continued
to occupy and rule India.
As a leader of the Communist Movement in India he dedicated
his entire life for the well - being of the workers and other
downtrodden masses. He set a world record by being the first
Communist to hold the office of Chief Minister in a provincial
administration by becoming the Chief Minister of West Bengal in
1952.
He held the same post in successive administrations till 1966
when he retired due to ill health. Nevertheless he continued to
be actively engaged in politics till his last days. He was
considered a patriarch of Left politics and was respected and
admired even by his foes. He was offered the post of Prime
Minister once but refused it in accordance with the decision of
his party.
A secular politician he stood for the unity of the Indian
Union and eschewed communal and religious extremism. His demise
has created a void which is hard to fill. |
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