Opportunism, the credo

If geometrical axioms influenced the lives of people, attempts would be certainly made to change them, an old adage says. Similarly if it affects the lives of individuals party leaders too would attempt to change policies and principles. This is the basis of opportunism in politics. To put it in another way, opportunism is the giving up of one's principles, policies and long-term goals for the sake of short-term advantages and illusory benefits.

To put it in the language of proletarian politics, which the JVP claims to uphold, it means selling one's class interests for a cup of porridge.

The Opposition alliance at the Presidential election had only a single agenda and a single policy. What united the disparate groups was their common opposition to President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Their common policy of abolishing the executive presidency was only a pretext, a camouflage to dupe the gullible voter. Actually, it was a subject outside the scope of powers vested in the President. It is not the President but the legislature or Parliament which could change the executive presidency. As the campaign progressed the real common objective was apparent. It was sending Mahinda Rajapaksa home, as the TNA Leader Sampanthan categorically said without any pretensions. So it was to have another executive president, the alliance was formed.

Having failed in their mission which the former Army Commander described as his personal Second Operation, the disparate groups and parties are now attempting to keep the alliance from falling apart. Already the fissures are evident. The UNP earlier said it wants to contest under the elephant symbol. It appealed to others to join. Finding no positive response they have now surrendered to the JVP call to contest under a common symbol. It is ironic that the JVP which vehemently criticized the traditional Left parties for aligning with the SLFP on a common political program as a sell out now calling for an alliance without even a minimum program.

The objection of the JVP is to the elephant symbol. They have no qualms in working together with the UNP if it accepted another symbol. That means, it is happy with the UNP policies and the UNP is happy with JVP policies.

There cannot be an instant of opportunism worse than this. It is a sad reflection on the JVP leadership that it had brought a party that had stood for independent policies (even if they were not popular) for long to the brink of liquidation. The next general election would definitely mark the nadir of its popularity.

It is to the JVP's credit that it stood for an alternative economic policy to that of neo-liberalism despite their isolation. However, they seemed to have now abandoned it silently just at the time when even some capitalists seem to ditch it. How else could one understand their eagerness to come into an alliance with the UNP which still stands for neo-liberalism and the resurrection of the infamous Regaining Sri Lanka program?

The alliance they claim is not a mere electoral no-contest agreement but one that hopes to install a government.

In fact, ministerial positions are also on the bargain counter. Rumours are also afloat that it has asked for the Prime Minister post in a government should the alliance succeed. Perhaps, it is aiming a bit too high as the proverbial jackal that wanted to taste grapes from a vine unreachable.

All partners in the so-called alliance in the making have policies that are non-congruous. They could unite only under one credo. That is the credo of opportunism.

The intelligent voters would see through their opportunism. They could keep trust in such a coalition for governance only at its own risk.