SLMC disagrees with proposal to form united Muslim front

While it was being reported that the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress was holding talks with the United National Party about a no-contest pact for the forthcoming Eastern Provincial Council election, the All Ceylon Muslim Congress was making attempts to unite all Muslim political parties together with Tamil and Sinhalese parties to contest the election to secure a strong position so that they could have their own Chief Minister elected. But, the SLMC leadership had disagreed with the proposal wanting all to contest under the SLMC banner and symbol the ACMC said yesterday.
It said: "In this regard all the Muslim parties namely, ACMC, SLMC, NC, NUA and Myown Musthaffa met in Parliament complex yesterday under the auspices of UMMA and the representatives of the Mosque Federation of Eastern Province too were present.

"It was pointed out that the Muslim Community in the East would not be able to secure the Council on its own and that a broad alliance where other communities too have participation was necessary. Further it was pointed out that such an alliance could be formed with Muslims Tamils and Sinhalese contesting under one symbol. Since the UPFA and Tamil parties including the TMVP are going to contest together it could be ensured that a Muslim becomes Chief Minister, if all the parties contest with this alliance on the ground that the community that returns the largest number of seats should be given the Chief Ministerial position to which the UPFA it was further pointed out was agreeable."

However, the SLMC had said it did not trust the Government, but the other parties present had decided to enter into a written agreement with the government. SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem said he could not agree to the proposal as his credibility would be at stake if he entered into an agreement with the Government.

He also disagreed with the proposal that all Muslim parties form an alliance to contest the polls and suggested that they should contest under the tree symbol of the SLMC.

The ACMC said a golden opportunity to secure the post of Chief Minister in the Eastern Province has almost been kicked away due to the intransigent attitude of the SLMC leadership and the SLMC would be held responsible for any consequences that would flow to the Muslims as a result of the failure to secure the Chief Minister post in the East.