-By Colombo Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -27.April.2025, 11.10 PM) In a move that could have significant ramifications for Sri Lanka’s upcoming local government elections, Rauff Hakeem, the leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and a sitting Member of Parliament, has publicly called on voters to withhold their support from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the island nation's main opposition alliance.
Speaking at a mass gathering in Sammanthurai over the weekend, Mr Hakeem did not mince his words. Describing the SJB’s political symbol — the telephone — as "out of order," he warned the Muslim electorate and the broader public against placing their faith in the party during the forthcoming polls.
"The symbol of the telephone is now a disconnected line," Hakeem said, drawing both laughter and grave nods from a crowd of party faithful, community leaders, and undecided voters.
Mr Hakeem’s speech marks a formal rupture between the SLMC and the SJB, an alliance that until recently was viewed as critical to any credible opposition to the ruling government.
In his address, Mr Hakeem emphasised that the decision to distance the SLMC from the SJB had not been made lightly.
He underscored the necessity of “carefully reassessing the future partnership between the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya,” calling on his supporters to exercise discernment and prudence in the looming electoral battle.
"We must take clear, firm decisions regarding our future," Hakeem said. "Our support cannot be given unthinkingly to those who fail to respect our community’s political aspirations."
The SLMC leader’s remarks suggest a deeper malaise at the heart of the SJB’s efforts to maintain a unified opposition bloc ahead of the elections, raising doubts about the party’s ability to command the coalition of minorities and disaffected voters it so desperately needs.
Turning to the electoral strategy, Mr Hakeem announced that the SLMC would contest independently in most areas, marking a significant shift from previous elections where the Muslim Congress had run under the banners of larger coalitions.
Specifically, he stated that his party would field independent candidates in 11 local councils in the Kandy District alone — a critical battleground that has often been seen as a bellwether for national political trends.
"Our candidates will contest under our own symbol," he declared. "We have the strength, the organisation, and above all, the will of the people behind us."
Mr Hakeem's firm stance reflects a broader trend of political fragmentation in Sri Lanka, where ethnic and religious parties are increasingly charting independent paths amid dissatisfaction with mainstream political leadership.
However, Mr Hakeem also revealed that a limited degree of tactical cooperation would remain between the two parties.
In three specific electoral divisions, SLMC members will contest under the SJB banner — but, he stressed, these instances were exceptions made at the explicit request of local organisers and based on the voluntary consent of the candidates involved.
"This limited cooperation does not signify a general alliance," he clarified. "These are isolated accommodations made for the greater good of the community."
Political analysts suggest that these pockets of collaboration reflect the complex realities of Sri Lankan local politics, where pragmatic calculations often override rigid ideological divides.
Mr Hakeem’s announcement underscores growing frustrations among minority communities over the SJB’s failure to address their concerns meaningfully.
Once hailed as the principal hope for unseating the Rajapaksa-led establishment, the SJB under Sajith Premadasa has struggled to maintain momentum.
Internal divisions, inconsistent messaging, and an apparent inability to offer clear policy alternatives have sapped the party's credibility among its traditional supporters, particularly minority groups who were pivotal to its strong showing at previous elections.
For the SLMC, which positions itself as the principal voice of Sri Lanka’s Muslim population, remaining tethered to an increasingly rudderless SJB risked alienating its grassroots base.
By stepping away now, Hakeem seeks to reinforce the Muslim Congress’s image as an independent political force, capable of negotiating with strength and protecting its community’s interests.
The fallout from Mr Hakeem’s decision is likely to extend far beyond the Muslim electorate.
With the SLMC’s withdrawal, the SJB faces the prospect of losing crucial support in multi-ethnic areas where Muslim votes can be decisive.
Moreover, the SLMC’s move could embolden other minority-focused parties to reconsider their alliances, further fracturing the opposition and enhancing the ruling government's prospects of consolidating power at the local level.
Political scientist Dr.Jayawardena, speaking to Lanka E news, noted:
"The unraveling of the SJB coalition highlights a deeper problem within Sri Lankan opposition politics — a failure to build genuine, sustained partnerships based on mutual respect and shared visions."
He added, "Hakeem’s breakaway is both a symptom and a catalyst of this broader crisis."
In the Muslim-majority Eastern Province, where towns like Sammanthurai, Kalmunai, and Akkaraipattu hold considerable electoral weight, Mr Hakeem’s message is likely to resonate strongly.
Early indications suggest that many Muslim voters feel increasingly disillusioned with both the government and the main opposition, creating fertile ground for the SLMC to reassert its independence.
Party officials privately express confidence that their candidates can capture a significant share of the vote in independent contests, particularly where issues of religious rights, minority representation, and economic development are at the forefront of voters’ minds.
However, challenges remain. Running independently requires greater organisational capacity and financial resources — both of which could be tested in a competitive and cash-intensive electoral environment.
For Mr Hakeem, the decision to strike out on his own is a calculated political gamble.
If successful, it could rejuvenate the SLMC's fortunes and re-establish it as a kingmaker in the volatile world of Sri Lankan politics.
If unsuccessful, it could leave the party isolated and vulnerable, potentially opening the door for rival Muslim political factions to siphon away support.
Yet in his Sammanthurai address, Mr Hakeem radiated confidence, portraying the break with the SJB not as a retreat but as a necessary assertion of principle.
"We will stand firm for our people," he concluded to resounding applause. "We will forge our path with dignity, courage, and unity."
As Sri Lanka gears up for a fiercely contested local election season, the political landscape is undergoing rapid and unpredictable transformations.
The withdrawal of the SLMC from the SJB alliance is a major development, signalling that ethnic and religious minority parties are no longer willing to play a subordinate role within broader coalitions that fail to deliver tangible results.
For the SJB, the road ahead looks increasingly perilous. Without the support of key minority blocs, the party’s ability to challenge the ruling establishment is dramatically weakened.
For the SLMC and Mr Hakeem, the immediate task is clear: to capitalise on grassroots support, maintain internal unity, and prove that independence is not just a symbolic gesture, but a viable path to real political influence.
In the volatile and often unforgiving theatre of Sri Lankan politics, success will depend not just on principles, but on strategy, resilience, and an unyielding connection to the people they seek to represent.
As one senior SLMC organiser put it to The Times after the rally:
"We are ready. This is our time to stand tall. No more broken promises. No more second-class citizenship. The fight begins now."
-By Colombo Correspondent
---------------------------
by (2025-04-27 17:50:54)
Read 12858 Times
Leave a Reply
0 discussion on this news