SLMC MPs' resignation: No impact on EP poll - Minister Ali

Muslims and Tamils should be on the watch out and should not fall into the trap of rabble rousers who are planning to stir Tamil and Muslim tension to win the Provincial Council election, Minister Ameer Ali told Asian Tribune.

The resignation drama staged by Rauff Hakeem and the other two members of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) will not have any impact on the Provincial Council election.

He said the United People's Freedom Alliance would win convincingly despite the unconvincing drama staged by the SLMC leadership.

He cautioned the Muslims and Tamils not to fall headlong into the traps of the UNP-SLMC combine, who might arouse racial tensions for political gain.

Ali, Minister of Disaster Relief Services said they earlier invited the SLMC to come forward to contest jointly with all the other Muslim groups and parties together under a common platform.

A meeting was organised by the Muslim United UMMA, Muslim Ministers, Ulamas (religious leaders), scholars and other eminent persons from the Muslim community.

"When Muslim politicians and religious leaders held a meeting with the SLMC leader and party members to unite all Muslim parties under one umbrella, Hakeem said the SLMC would contest only under its 'Tree symbol'". Hakeem also rejected the Government's invitation to the SLMC to contest jointly with the Government.

"He insisted on contesting under the 'Tree' symbol. The SLMC leader had since decided to forge an alliance with the UNP to contest under the Elephant symbol after the latter refused to contest under his 'Tree' symbol," Ali said.

Hakeem joining the UNP and abandoning the SLMC's 'Tree' symbol does not augur well for them, warned Ali.

He warned that as an election ploy, stirring up of racial tension for the sake of self centred political gains might be the trick up in their sleeves to win the Muslims votes.

Ali added that Muslims and Tamils should be on the watch out and should not fall into the trap of rabble rousers who are planning to stir Tamil Muslim tension to win the provincial Council election.

Asian Tribune