INTERREGNUM

The TNA press release seeks to convey an impression that all is well within the alliance and that the choice of a chief ministerial candidate was unanimous. It does not refer to the hectic infighting and squabbling that preceded the final decision. Furthermore, it does not mention the campaign mounted against Wigneswaran’s perceived candidacy within and outside TNA ranks and the fact that Wigneswaran got nominated only because Jaffna district MP Somasundaram Senathirajah alias “Maavai” stood down in favour of the ex –Judge after protracted discussions. It also does not take note of the protests directed against the selection of Wigneswaran by certain elements in the TNA despite the fact that the party has formally nominated him as its chief ministerial candidate.

This glossing over of important developments concerning the chief ministerial candidate choice by the TNA in its media communiqué is quite understandable as no political party can be expected to

reveal its internal

The chain of events leading to the candidate choice clash has been dealt with extensively in these columns a fortnight ago. The crux of the matter was that of TNA leader Sampanthan wanting to nominate C.V. Wigneswaran as chief minister candidate for a multiplicity of valid reasons. Senior TNA parliamentarian Mavai Senathirajah was initially willing to go along with that but Wigneswaran was reluctant to accept and engage in active politics. This led to an interregnum during which Senathirajah was thought of as an alternative. The Septugenarian six footer from Maaviddapuram was not averse to the idea. Sampanthan too preferred Maavai (shortened for m of Maaviddapuram) as a second option if Wigneswaran declined.

Sampanthan apparently believed in not taking “No” for an answer. The octogenarian Tamil leader aided by TNA National list MP M.A. Sumanthiran persistently wooed C.V. Wigneswaran and finally the Hulftsdorp born Wigneswaran whose parents hail from Maanipaai in Jaffna said “Om”(yes). Sampanthan and Sumanthiran were delighted but not Senathirajah. His appetite for the chief minister post had now been whetted considerably. Having set his sights on the crown, Senathirajah played his cards close to his chest. He appeared to go along with Sampanthan’s choice overtly but set in motion a campaign in his favour covertly.

The TNA consists of five parties namely the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK),Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF),Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), Peoples Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) and Eelam Peoples Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF). An “Orunginaippuk Kuzhu” or coordinating committee had been set up by the TNA to oversee all matters regarding the forthcoming Northern Province election. The committee consisted of four representa-