SLMC wants to strengthen Government - Rauf Hakeem

H. M. Abeysinghe, Kuliyapitiya group corr.

KULIYAPITIYA: The SLMC joining the Government ranks is not projected to gain ministerial portfolios but to strengthen the Government, said SLMC Leader Rauf Hakeem.

Hakeem was speaking at the SLMC's Kurunegala District Conference at the Kuliyapitiya Town Hall recently.

"We had few rounds of talks on joining the Government ranks on the invitation of the President. There is a good response from the Government on this," he said.

The SLMC campaigned against the President at the last Presidential Election though he invited us to join the Government. He had also signed an MoU with UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and got CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman and P. Chandrasekaran into the Government fold.

"All these show his political maturity. He is a good statesman who keeps the country before the Party. Majority of other leaders keep the party before the country". The President wants to serve all the communities alike. For that, he seeks the co-operation of political parties. I can see a new political culture in the offing.

"However, I do not take an arbitrary decision on joining the Government. I seek the opinions of the Party members on the issue. These district-based conferences are held to get their views and opinions," he said.

"The delegates who spoke gave their approval for joining the Government. Several delegates wanted me to take any decision and many would approve my decision. Those opinions encourage me to take a decision. However, the party should decide that," Hakeem said.

"We are unable to change the policies of the Government, So are our policies. However, The Government and the party have common policies on which we could work together."

"Several individuals had issued press releases against the SLMC joining the Government. These individuals have no voice in the Party. If they object on taking a positive decision on the subject, they should express their objection before the conference."

Every one has the freedom to express their views on the subject at the conference. We have not yet taken a decision in this regard.

The party should take a collective decision on any subject and all should abide by that.

"Nine out of 10 Muslim Ministers are former SLMC members. Since all these Ministers pay special attention on Muslim community, there will be no need of another Muslim Minister. My stand on joining the Government is to perform a more productive service to the country," he said.

However my condition is that the identity of the Muslim community should be protected and safeguarded. If the Government agrees with that, we can take positive decision.

Digamadulla District MP Nageeb Deen, North Western Provincial Councillor S.H.M. Niyaz, Kuliyapitiya UC Member M.N.M. Rizvi, SLMC Kurunegala District Organiser M.S.M. Ghouse also spoke.