India frowns on Fonseka candidacy

The Outlook magazine said the prospect of Sarath Fonseka holding the reins of power is not a scenario India favours. According to the magazine's headline titled Lankan Roulette, a senior Indian diplomat had said the prospect of the former General's seeking to fight elections in the neighbourhood was not an encouraging sign.

Sri Lankan politicians considered New Delhi's blessings somewhat crucial for their prospects. Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa MP were on the Sri Lankan delegation that recently visited New Delhi to discuss the post-war situation in the country.

Among other issues, the talks focused on the steps taken to rehabilitate Tamils uprooted from what was once the stronghold of the LTTE. The Outlook magazine also stated that General Fonseka visited India but did not get a chance to meet any of the Indian leaders. Instead, he had met some 'personal contacts' in Mumbai in what was billed as a private visit. According to the Outlook, a senior official in South Block, had said they knew Fonseka the man, but did not know Fonseka the candidate.

Outlook said that this reflected the Indian establishment's reservations about him he cannot be taken seriously because of his contradictory statements.

According to Indian External Affairs Ministry though President Rajapaksa was criticized for his tough line in dealing with the LTTE terrorists, he had been mindful of New Delhi's concerns, taking it into confidence at every stage of the conflict, the Outlook said.

It also said that President Rajapaksa fought the 2005 presidential election promising to defeat the LTTE. As President he had offered critical support to the army, warding off pressure from the West to halt the war against the Tigers. An election victory after that should have been par for the course, Outlook added.