by

Shamindra Ferdinando

UPFA constituent, All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) has skipped public meetings held in support of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the Vanni electoral District and Batticaloa on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

Political sources told The Island that the absence of ACMC leader Industries and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen at UPFA rallies raised many an eyebrow in the wake of the prolonged delay in finalising electoral pact.

The signing of the agreement scheduled for last Monday didn’t take place consequent to Minister Bathiudeen pouncing on MP Sri Ranga, who contested the last parliamentary poll on the UNP ticket. Bathiudeen accused Ranga, General Secretary of Nuwara Eliya based Citizens Front of having secret dealings with the government while publicly attacking ACMC.

Sources pointed out that some scheduled ACMC propaganda meetings hadn’t been held in the Vanni electoral district consequent to the clash between Bathiudeen and Ranga. Sources said that the SLFP had earlier accommodated ACMC’s Amir Ali on the UPFA National List after having requested A. H. M. Azwer to resign. Ali had been brought in to appease amidst the SLMC delaying its decision on presidential election. SLMC sources said that the party had been sharply divided over their stand.

UPFA sources emphasised that the campaign was on track with President Rajapaksa receiving tremendous response during meetings on Thursday and Friday.

Courtesy:The Island