Prez may change law to advance presidential election: Mano

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Mano Ganesan says President Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely to propose a constitutional amendment to pave the way for an early presidential election.The Colombo District MP said that President Wickremesinghe had indicated to him the possibility of bringing an amendment to the Constitution. The Democratic People’s Front (DPF) disclosed that President Wickremesinghe had said he would contest the next presidential election.

Ganeshan said so when The Island asked him whether the TPA believed the country was heading for an early presidential election.The last presidential election was conducted on 16 Nov. 2019. In terms of the Constitution, the President is elected for a period of five years.

MP Ganesan said that President Wickremesinghe, who is also the leader of the UNP, would definitely receive the backing of a section of the ruling SLPP. The TPA consists of Democratic People’s Front (DPF), National Union of Workers (NUF) and Upcountry People’s Front (UCPF). The TPA contested the last general election on the SJB ticket.

MP Ganesan said that the SLPP would field a candidate of its own to protect its vote base.Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera several weeks ago declared that the majority of the government parliamentary group backed UNP leader Wickremesinghe’s candidature at the next presidential poll.

Responding to another query, MP Ganesan asserted that the SLPP backed Wickremesinghe and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa would be the main contenders with JVP-led JJB fielding Anura Kumara Dissanayake joining the fray. “The SLPP will come fourth,” the ex-minister said, adding that President Wickremesinghe seemed to be going ahead with his plans.

Asked whether recent moves to replace Governors in four provinces had been influenced by President Wickremesinghe’s desire to further consolidate his position ahead of presidential election, MP Ganesan said that the electorate couldn’t be significantly manipulated by appointing new Governors. “What really matters is the public acceptance of the presidential candidates. The President cannot expect major benefits by replacing Governors,” the MP said.

It would be pertinent to mention that active politicians and functioning members of political parties couldn’t be appointed as Governors, and such appointments would be unethical and unacceptable, MP Ganesan said.

The TPA, established in 2015 is active in Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa and Western Provinces. Over the years, it has emerged as a key political force representing the minority community. At the last general election in August 2020, the TPA won six seats though one (Badulla District MP A. Aravind Kumar) switched its allegiance to the SLPP in Oct 2020 when he voted for the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. The remaining TPA group consists of leader Mano Ganesan, deputy leader Palani Thigambaram (Nuwara Eliya), deputy leader V. Radha Krishna (Nuwara Eliya), Velu Kumar (Kandy) and M. Udaya Kumar (Nuwara Eliya).

The Island also sought an update on the TPA’s efforts to form a parliamentary Tamil caucus from its leader. MP Ganesan said that TNA’s constituent Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) was yet to respond to their proposal though TELO and PLOTE now calling themselves the Democratic TNA declared their support for the proposal. The TPA leader said that the TNA seemed to be in a dilemma against the backdrop of its partners agreeing to his proposal.

TMK led by CV. Wigneshwaran responded positively and they, too, were prepared to join hands, the MP said. Proposed formation of Tamil parliamentary caucus was pending, MP Ganesan said, while asserting in case TELO and PLOTE became part of the parliamentary grouping it would further divide the TNA.The TNA emerged the fourth largest grouping in parliament at the last general election. It won 10 seats.