In the name of gentlemanly politics

It was news that the UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has extended his occupation of the post of UNP leader by six years. Perhaps a first in the democratic world.

A leader is one who leads his followers, who accept him as their leader. A person who imposes himself as leader is no leader in the proper sense, but a dictator.

On the other hand, a leader of a political party is one who needs to lead the party to capture political power.

One who leads the party to defeat, who cannot keep the party united, who cannot muster the support of the rank and file of the party, who is unpopular within the party, who hangs on to the leadership on the basis of a mere provision in the party constitution, introduced for the purpose, is no democratic leader.

The people will not trust such a political party 'leader' for handing over the reins of government, as he could attempt the same process to continue to stay in power.

A leader cannot be rapacious and aggressive. Everyone sees what a leader appears to be, and is judged from what he does and his behaviour towards the people in general and the party members in particular. If a leader acts in a ruthless manner, it is sheer stupidity even though a few around him shower praise on him for their own existence.

A leader proper, should not fortify himself with party or organizational constitutional powers that help him to continue to be in the leadership. He should prove his prowess in leadership and win the hearts of the party members. In other countries, where democracy prevails, the political party leaders graciously step down when they fail to lead the party to victory at the hustings. That is gentleman-politics.

Please Mr. Wickremesinghe, step down as UNP leader at least after the forthcoming Local Government elections, in the interest of the UNP and the country, which elections you are sure to lead the UNP to defeat.

- Upali S. Jayasekera