Nothing wrong in the UNP leadership

Former UNP Education Minister Dr Karunasena Kodithuwakku in an interview with Daily News explains the latest thinking in the UNP that the Government cannot increase its present voter base.

Suraj A. Bandara

Q: With the presidential election already in the bag, don't you think that the Government is at a clear advantage at the upcoming election?

A: First and foremost, I must emphasize that as a democratic party we don't accept the last presidential election results and it is not a clear mandate of the people of this country. We have challenged the results in courts. Therefore, it is a misconception that the ruling party has the advantage. There is a clear decline even in their strongholds. This was particularly shown by the results of the Southern Provincial Council election which recorded 10 percent of reduction than the Uva Provincial Council. More importantly, though the President is not unpopular, all UPFA candidates who have come into the fray are unpopular. Therefore, they have a huge competition among them to win manaapey.

This time, election frauds will be minimal. If a free and fair election is held the advantage is clearly with the UNP. We will be able to secure more seats. The colourful expensive propaganda campaign of UPFA members does not indicate that they have won the election. Now the people want to teach them a good lesson for misusing public property . These UPFA candidates are allegedly living luxurious lives. They will be defeated by the intelligent voters.

Q: Is it true that the UNP leader has requested for undated letters of resignation from its candidates?

A:Yes it is true. It is a democratic move taken by the party after exhaustive and lengthy discussion. We wanted to protect our loyal party members who voted the UNP not those who crossover. Certain selfish UNP members betrayed the party for privileges and portfolios. When we had signed an MoU with the UPFA, 18 members were taken to their side promising portfolios. It was totally a violation of the MoU. Then what would our loyal UNP supporters think. Therefore, this is a step taken to protect the party and its discipline. Now all members would abide by party rules and no one can violate them for personal gain. If anybody violated party rules legal action will be taken against him. There must be a common convention stand which is collectively accepted to safeguard the party.

Q: Why did you decide to part with the JVP with whom you formed a common front to fight the Presidential election?

A: The alliance between the UNP and the JVP was a timely move to confront the insurmountable pressure created by the executive presidency.

We still believe that this executive presidency is being misused and it should be abolished with immediate effect. An extreme leftist party like the JVP and some minority parties including majority Tamil and Muslim parties had kept their confidence in this alliance and the ultimate result was robbed by the Government. There had been an encouraging request made by our loyal UNPers that our party symbol should be protected. But the UNP is still open to those who love democracy and ensure true freedom. Both the UNP and JVP are still in a position to secure the release General Fonseka once a true war hero who was transformed into a traitor after he became the common opposition candidate.

Whenever Government goes wrong way we will still be with them to oppose it and correct them. Though our parties are totally moving forward with different policies and methods, both wanted to defeat this corrupt government without any animosity. There is nothing beyond that.

Q: Don't you think that a split opposition will give a huge advantage to the Government?

A: I don't think so. Because, all these former UNPers who crossed over will be rejected by the people of this country. They don't have a strong vote base and they will all be rejected at this election. They went for some privileged positions offered by the President. They will not have any effect on the UNP vote. I think even a minor damage would not happen to us from them.

Q: Do you plan to rejoin with DNA after the election to form a joint opposition in Parliament?

A: As I earlier mentioned, we can together make a strong influence on the Government, whether we are in the government party or opposition, what we want is to make a clear representation of the people in Parliament, the supreme law making body of the country. I can remember Once former President J.R.Jayewardene asked indirectly from our party supporters to elect one of the Perera's when two Perera's were contesting from two parties.

One was contesting on the opposition ticket for Parliament. He said there must be at least a strong opposition in Parliament and such type of persons should be there to point out the wrongs and raise the voice against any issue.

As such we can make a powerful alliance in and outside Parliament. Both parties expect General Fonseka's support.

Q: The Government is seeking a two thirds majority to change the constitution. Should it fall short of the target, will you support the Government to achieve this?

A: Under this proportional voting system neither Government nor Opposition will be able to get a two thirds majority. It is very clear that the government is using a strategy to deceive the people that they have a good vote base. This is only an election gimmick. I cannot say statically how many seats we will win at the election. But I say this is a 50/50 fight.

The people will decide it on April 8.

Q: The UNP vote base seems to have eroded in many of its strongholds like Mahiyanganaya and Harispattuwa. Isn't this a sign that the party is going downhill?

A: This election result is not a mandate of the people. But one thing is clear, that is, when government media and some private media propaganda exaggerates views through their media, people accept them without a second thought.

This is a paper based economic achievement not an achievement in reality. So people get what the media has given them. Either the media is controlled or tamed by the Government to do its biddings.

The reality is totally hidden and there is an extensive media back up to cover all wrongdoings. Therefore, in areas like Mahiyanganaya people were deceived to some extent. But they have again recovered and now they know the reality.

Q: Many UNP stalwarts left the party critical of Ranil's leadership. Don't you think this is justified going by the string of defeats suffered by the party under his leadership?

A: There is no truth in that statement. Some segments of the party were not with the leadership on certain matters. But the reality is they had some other agenda.

This is not a problem of the leadership at all. They were finding excuses to decamp. I don't see any wrong in the UNP leadership.