Fonseka Camp proves politics makes strange bedfellows
Fri, 2010-01-08 14:16 — editor
· Article
By Shenali Waduge
If ever we thought politicians had principles we are being proved wrong as each day provides enough reason to accept the famous simile that birds of a feather flock together. So we have an opposition camp – referred to as the common opposition united only to oust the incumbent President.
Should we not wonder whether this is the correct ingredient to actually seek election to the highest office of a country? Has the incumbent President in his presidency of 4 years done any worse than what previous Presidents have done? As voters we need to know exactly why we should not vote for President Rajapakse & why we should vote for Sarath Fonseka?
If President Rajapakse had announced Presidential elections immediately following the May 2009 victory…he is sure to have gained more than 65% of the vote…had he called for Parliamentary elections the trend would definitely have flown in the favor of the UPFA. However, none would have expected the present scenario six months into the defeat of the LTTE and what makes the present scenario all the more poignant is for voters to actually be alert and not allow politicians to get the better of them.
Change is good so long as that change does not necessarily equate to a change from bad to worse especially when that change rests upon a very high risk factor. Fonseka may project himself as a common candidate but the reality of his candidature for the post of President is as an Independent candidate though he is being camouflaged by the backing he is receiving from opposition parties. The simple fact remains that he does not have a political party. He is not a member of the UNP/UNF or the JVP or any of the other parties that are presently supporting him. The swan symbol that is representing Fonseka as he bids for the Presidency belongs to the New Democratic Front and registered under the name of Mrs. S Perera though Fonseka is not a member of this party as well.
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