Poverty of thought

The much hyped Manifesto of the New Democratic Front candidate is out at last. Considering the intense pre-publication publicity the first comment that comes to our mind is the famous local adage which says: Kandak vili laa mee patiyeku veduwasay (like delivering a baby rat after a mountain of labour)

Leaving aside such knee-jerk reactions what characterizes it is its brevity, simplicity and vagueness. In the abstract all three could be virtues. In the concrete case of this manifesto they are not virtues but shortcomings.

It is brief for the contents could easily be accommodated in six A-4 size pages. Brevity is a virtue if the contents are serious and substantial. The contents of the manifesto resemble more a primary school student's composition rather than an election manifesto of a person seeking the highest position in the land. Many were accusing the author of the manifesto of being inexperienced in politics. This accusation is proved by the manifesto for it exposes not only political inexperience but also lack of basic general knowledge about the country's affairs. For example the manifesto promises to reduce taxes on all essential food items when in fact the Government has already subjected them to zero tax.

What emerges from the manifesto is the contradictory nature of its author. For example, he is promising a wage increase of Rs 12,500 from election platforms while in his manifesto he only promises to increase the wage up to Rs 500, presumably per month. But the estate workers get almost Rs 500 even now. Once again lack of general knowledge.

For once being consistent the manifesto carries a proposal to increase the salaries of public servants to Rs 10,000. Here again it is not spelt out whether the increment is per mensem or per annum. Giving the benefit of the doubt to the author and pardoning him for his inexactitude, it is pertinent to ask how he is seeking to raise the finances to fulfil his promise. The promises also include a doll of Rs 3,000 per month to unemployed graduates and Rs 2,000 to other unemployed youth. Besides it is promised to reduce taxes on private entrepreneurs, including certain monopolies.

Meanwhile the manifesto is silent on several key issues facing the country. It has kept mum on the nature of the economy and the proposed solution to the national question.

The most noteworthy feature of the manifesto is its vagueness. This gives the author a chance to interpret it in a way he wishes after the elections. Several questions arise.

For example, would he continue the neo-liberal economic policy of his partner in alliance, the UNP? Would he amalgamate the Northern and Eastern Provinces in a bid to settle the national question? Would he continue the Non-aligned foreign policy of the present Government or abandon it for a pro-western oriented policy?

The manifesto also speaks of a program called 'Youth Challenge', which he promises to begin within three months. He has not elaborated on the thought. Does it mean conscription of youth?

Even on the much promised abolition of the Executive Presidency the solution is a Cabinet paper within one month of assuming office.

Had it been so simple the institution could have been abolished long ago. This shows that the contender is ignorant of the provisions of the existing Constitution which clearly says that a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament and a subsequent approval at a public referendum are essential to change the Constitution. Actually he is trying to hoodwink the masses and get the votes of the gullible.

This is not all. The most conspicuous thought that stands in bold relief in this so-called manifesto titled 'A convincing change' (Vishvasaneeya Venasak) is the egoism of its author. The words I, my, mine, to me...(mama, mage, mata...) are found nearly 50 times in this brief manifesto. Now it is clear it is nothing but egoism that has propelled him so far. Given power he is sure to go his own way with his own people building a greater ego. The pious pledges would be reduced to dust with the papers on which they are printed.