{"id":168,"date":"2014-07-01T12:53:51","date_gmt":"2014-07-01T11:53:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/senan.org.uk\/?p=168"},"modified":"2021-01-27T12:54:56","modified_gmt":"2021-01-27T12:54:56","slug":"weak-mahinda-vs-kshama-factor-and-the-common-candidate-debate-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/senan.org.uk\/?p=168","title":{"rendered":"Weak Mahinda Vs Kshama Factor And The \u2018Common Candidate\u2019 Debate"},"content":{"rendered":"
COLOMBO TELEGRAPH<\/a><\/div>\n

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Challenging times pose challenging questions. For the left this is especially the case as we task ourselves to play a leading role in the fight for a better life for all. In Sri Lanka where the government of\u00a0Mahinda Rajapaksa<\/a>\u00a0is crushing democratic rights and stands accused of genocidal slaughter this is especially so. Every twist and turn of strategy and tactics must involve a serious weighing up of ideas and historical lessons if it can play any useful role.<\/p>\n

The attack on Muslims in Sri Lanka has provoked huge anger. Given there is evidence of government involvement, it has the potential to enormously weaken the regime of President Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR). So the prospect that MR will get neither the votes of Tamils or Muslims nor of progressive Sinhalese is a factor in the discussion about bringing forward a \u2018common candidate\u2019 of the opposition to defeat him.<\/p>\n

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Debating the strategy to bring down MR is likely to dominate Sri Lankan politics until the presidential election. Although the idea of putting forward a \u2018common candidate\u2019 originated from the left, unbelievably the arguments that are linked to it have ruled out a potential left challenge. This debate must be re-opened. So-called left intellectuals, who claim to be \u2018down to earth\u2019 and \u2018practical\u2019, propose that the devil is to be challenged with a demon.<\/p>\n

A number of questions will be posed if a possible left challenge is suggested. From previous betrayals to the current examples of sectarianism, the crimes of the left will be listed. But the key question is this: should we seek regime change or a change that will provide a meaningful transformation of life for the masses in Sri Lanka? Bringing down Mr Devil at all costs is one thing \u2013 but what replaces him is a vital question. Tamils, workers, Muslims have all suffered miserably at the hands of the neoliberal UNP.<\/p>\n

It goes without saying that when we speak of the \u2018left\u2019 we leave aside insignificant groups such as the sectarian \u2018keyboard Marxists\u2019. But it must be acknowledged and understood that the left in general has been a key factor in shaping history in Sri Lanka. The left must be credited with a number of significant gains. Sri Lanka still enjoys free education, health service, etc, which are advanced achievements in comparison to other countries in the region. (Read History of Resistance for details , available\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0).<\/p>\n

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Although the left today is weaker as it faces constant attacks by the government and the leadership has largely accrued a record of betrayal, it is still capable of producing killer punches. More importantly, a left opposition will be the only \u2018trustworthy\u2019 opponent of MR.<\/p>\n

It is only a left representative who represents the interests of the working class that can be trusted to deliver on the programme that they stand on \u2013 whether it is the abolition of the executive presidency, an investigation of war crimes, devolution of power, a commitment to investing in education and health, reducing the defence budget, removing the military from public places and curtailing its powers, or ensuring media freedom, freedom of speech, and other democratic rights. What is the point of rallying behind a candidate who promises some or any of these if they cannot be trusted to deliver the programme that we want? Or if they have a record of defending the interests of the exploiters?<\/p>\n

We must remind ourselves of the presidential election in 2005 \u2013 the moment MR captured power. It was a narrow victory. He would not have won if it was not for two key factors. One factor was the\u00a0JVP<\/a>\u00a0which mobilised the support of the unions and all its strength behind MR while hiding their nationalism under Marxist rhetoric. The other factor was the boycott enforced in Tamil areas by the\u00a0LTTE<\/a>. This took at least 400,000 votes out of the equation. Mahinda won with a majority of just over 180,000 votes.<\/p>\n

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But another interesting fact must be noted here. In third place, with over 35,000 votes, was left candidate\u00a0Siritunga Jayasuriya<\/a>\u00a0of the United Socialist Party. During the election he appealed to the LTTE not to boycott \u2013 even sounding a warning that doing so would be akin to digging their own graves. Following MR\u2019s acceptance speech there was an opportunity for the opposition to speak. UNP leader\u00a0Ranil<\/a>\u00a0abstained. But Siritunga took the opportunity to issue a further warning to MR: \u201cDo not unleash the monster of Sinhala chauvinism.\u201d<\/p>\n

Siri was alone in issuing this caution \u2013 the so-called left intellectuals were unable to assess what was coming their way, as they are today. Those forces that kept their silence in 2005 are now rolling in behind a simple recipe: \u2018Split the\u00a0Sinhala nationalist<\/a>\u00a0vote by standing a\u00a0Buddhist monk as a candidate<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 and unite Tamil and left\/progressive votes with it.\u2019 This is the astonishing formula that is being proposed to defeat MR.<\/p>\n

Of course much has changed since 2005 \u2013 but those events must not be forgotten and the fundamental question must be asked: Isn\u2019t there a case for building and mobilising for a left challenge to Mahinda?<\/p>\n

For those \u2018practical types\u2019 who cry out and say it\u2019s just a dream, let us cite the example of how the \u2018dream\u2019 of Martin Luther King came true recently in Seattle. All those on the left must have heard the name of Kshama Sawant by now. Her election and subsequent campaigning achievements provide an answer to all the scaredy-cat lefts who fear their own shadow and attempt to hide their politics.<\/p>\n

Kshama, a new shining star of the socialist world, is originally from South Asia. When Kshama won a Seattle city council seat last year with almost 100,000 votes even MSNBC was forced to report that the socialist \u2018is no longer a dirty word\u2019<\/p>\n