Giving a second term to Executive Presidency is like creating a second Frankenstein monster –Rauf Hakeem

Rauff Hakeem M.P. and leader of the SLMC addressing a conference of SLMC M.Ps and supporters on ‘Constitution and harmonious living’ at Colombo Taj Hotel, said, a second term of Executive Presidency is most ominous and dangerous. Our past experience is itself proof. Hence, we must now exploit the present opportunity to change this situation, he added.

If we are to support the Muslim Congress common candidate, this perspective should clearly be understood, Hakeem stated. SLMC is working towards getting at least 80 % of the Muslim votes for Fonseka. The SLMC will also be working to get the Tamil votes too for him while combating the attempts to plunder their votes by the ruling party. In this connection all supporters have been intimated, he asserted.

The view that Rajapakse rule cannot be toppled for six generations after the war was won, has undergone a complete turnabout. Now the situation is such he is hard put even to stay on for the next term, let alone the hopes of ruling for generation to generation.
By this Executive Presidency, there are 25 elected UNP MPs, 12 JVP MPs and 6 SLMC MPs. But the very party which introduced the Executive Presidency is opposed to this system now. The JVP too has endorsed this stand, Hakeem pinpointed.

The leaders of the Tamil political parties are opposed to Mahinda Rajapakse and Sarath Fonseka, yet the Tamil population want a change of Govt. The SLMC hopes to hold discussions with the Tamil parties in the near future and convince them with a view to making the Common candidate emerge victorious, Hakeem observed.