UNP’s internal duel over symbol
Had the nation’s main opposition party, the United National Party, been involved in lengthy discussions over the country’s present tax structure and was debating whether the radical reforms on the table were of sufficient soundness to present it to the public in their election manifesto as the party’s official fiscal policy, the inordinate time taken in its distillation could, perhaps, be forgiven.
But when, on the threshold of a major general election, a general election that could possibly decide what residue of democracy would be left in the country for the next five years, it is deadlocked for weeks on end over choosing between the elephant and the swan as the symbol under which it will battle the hustings, it is a demonstration of irresponsibility that verges on the criminal.
Especially when the choice stares them in the face.
There on the one hand, the UNP can unleash the old familiar mighty elephant that has been jealously tethered in Ranil Wickremesinghe’s backyard for the last fifteen years without a single outing in a major polls perehera carrying the party casket loftily on its back. It’s the elephant that had been kraalled into the UNP fold by the founding fathers of the party. It is the majestic mascot that has led the party triumphantly in many an election battle. One does not need the sword of Dutugamunu when one has his Kandula lead the forces from the front to trumpet the UNP arrival.
Or, on the other hand, the
UNP leadership can opt for the graceful elegant swan which swiftly sailed Sirisena to presidency but drowned Premadasa’s ambitious hopes of finding Excalibur, whilst enabling the UNP leader to continue clinging to the Holy Grail of which he has been the proud ineffectual custodian, grossly failing to make any use of it for the last twenty five years.
But, in the deadlock, what does this rift-torn party members do? Do they even flip a coin and let Lady Luck settle the issue once and for all and proceed attending to other important matters that await any party contesting a general election only weeks away. No. They appoint a committee to study the matter. As if to delay it further by chewing acrimony and regurgitating it over and over again gives them a curious joy.
The difference and the galvanising success of the SLPP is it shows it is party of action, whereas the hallmark of the UNP in recent times is vacillation. And as for internal feuds, the SLPP settle them behind closed doors. The UNP hangs its dirty linen in public.
Of course, the UNP’s Ranilled faction say they have no objection to giving the elephant to the party’s use but objects to giving it to the alliance of which the UNP will be the main constituent party. The Sajith faction smells a ransom demand and refuses to kowtow for control of nominations will slip from his hand to the old guard. For the mahouts who control the elephant will decide who gets aboard for the election ride.
Both sides may have their just reasons. But isn’t it too late in the day to stay stagnated? It’s time to move on to more pressing strategic matters. squabbling? The United National Party has a higher duty to the 5 million people who voted for it at the presidential polls. Nay, as the better or worse half of the two party system of democracy in Lanka – depending on the colour filter of the eye glass one is presently looking through – it has a sacred duty to the entire electorate. A duty to present to the people a credible alternative choice. If it cannot rise to the challenge to do so far better to tear up its party constitution now. It won’t be needed for a long time.
In the meantime, it’s best to heed a Sinhala maxim, should a sword meant for war be kept at home to cut Jak?