The secret discussions to join the SLFP and the Joint Opposition in marriage for the upcoming mini polls are still underway. Political insiders claim that the SLFP has informed the Joint Opposition that it has agreed to all conditions presented by them except for one.
According to reports the SLFP has refused to leave the government as requested by the JO but has agreed to other condition set forward. It has also agreed to present the position of General Secretary of the Podujana Eksath Peramuna to the JO sources said.
If the SLFP and JO union is confirmed the parties are expected to contest under the ‘chair’ symbol under the banner of the Podujana Eksath Peramuna party in the upcoming local government polls. Meanwhile, sources also claim that the SLFP has agreed to give over 50 percent of the nominations over to the members of the JO.
Additionally, the SLFP is said to have proposed that some flexibility should be adopted when appointing the President of the Podujana Eksath Peramuna insiders revealed.
Response not favourable
However, while no favourable response has been received from the JO, talks are said to be yet underway to bring the two parties together.
Meanwhile, it has also been reported that secret discussions have commenced between a group of Ministers and Parliamentarians that left the SLFP and a group of others who were about to leave the party ranks recently.
Discussions are also said to be underway to resolve the nominations related issues that have cropped up within the JO.
Mahinda’s Stance
Basil: Steerer of the JO
Meanwhile, the website ‘Lanka C News’ maintained by the leader of the National Freedom Front, Wimal Weerawansa has reported that the Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has revealed that the parties belonging to the JO may contest the local government elections as the ‘Podujana Peramuna’.
The website has also reported that the former President has said the JO has no intention to join hands with the SLFP who are governing the country in cahoots with the UNP.
According to the report, Rajapaksa had opined that if the ‘Podujana Peramuna’ joins with a political party which is part of the current government this may suggest that the party has accepted the policies of the current government.
Due to these reasons the JO members have refused to contest with the SLFP, he was further quoted as saying.
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