{"id":41826,"date":"2015-06-25T14:21:16","date_gmt":"2015-06-25T18:21:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=41826"},"modified":"2015-06-25T14:21:16","modified_gmt":"2015-06-25T18:21:16","slug":"jvp-today-is-like-the-wagging-tail-of-the-unp-dog-and-the-echo-of-ranils-voice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=41826","title":{"rendered":"JVP Today is like the Wagging Tail of the UNP Dog and the Echo of Ranil’s Voice"},"content":{"rendered":"

By<\/p>\n

Malinda Seneviratne<\/strong><\/p>\n

First there was the Left. It was still \u2018Left\u2019 even though those bunched at that end of the political spectrum disagreed vehemently and took turns at calling each other Running Dogs of Imperialism and other lovely names. Then came the JVP. <\/p>\n

Originally the product of a split, the JVP dis\/relocated itself in ideological and methodological ways that made common lumping tough. Sure, they too were called bad names from others who considered themselves \u2018Left\u2019 but the JVP was also called \u2018CIA agents\u2019 and their politics described as \u2018an infantile disorder\u2019. <\/p>\n

One thing is agreed upon by all. The JVP was different. It was so different than an adjective was required to differentiate the party from the Communist Party or rather \u2018parties,\u2019 the LSSP and the other claimants to be the Sri Lankan branch of the \u20184th International\u2019. That\u2019s how we got the broad separation \u2018Old\u2019 and \u2018New\u2019. The JVP was \u2018New\u2019. The rest were \u2018Old\u2019. In time the \u2018new\u2019 was dropped, but the \u2018old\u2019 remained. The JVP, since it was never categories with those other left parties was not considered part of the \u2018Old Left\u2019. So there was the Old Left and there was the JVP.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A lot of time has passed. The JVP has passed the half-century mark. Two failed insurrections, a lot of blood on their hands as well as responsibility for the human resource crisis this country is suffering from and little or no gain for the constituency to show for 50 years of \u2018struggle\u2019 doesn\u2019t make exciting revolutionary literature. <\/p>\n

The JVP has had its moments of glory too. The 17th Amendment (the only democratising amendment until then) was one. The JVP was a critical factor in ousting the Tiger-friendly UNP Government of 2001-2004. The JVP also offered crucial support to Mahinda Rajapaksa which went a long way in securing the political stability necessary to take on the LTTE. <\/p>\n

For all this, the JVP has not shown that it is any different to the Old Left over the past 25 years. It has, like the CP and LSSP offered a bit of color to the SLFP from time to time. It\u2019s contributions to constitutional amendment can also be compared to the work of the Old Left in the United Front Government led by Sirimavo Bandaranaike, at least in the initial stages. That\u2019s about it. Whatever else that was \u2018positive\u2019 has been erased by the negatives in the equation courtesy the JVP\u2019s student wing. <\/p>\n

As of now, the JVP has shed all democratic pretensions. It has been reduced to a party which, for all the anti-UNP rhetoric dished out to the faithful, is happily playing role of echo and tail to Ranil\u2019s voice and the UNP dog, respectively. \u2018Wag!\u2019 the UNP\u2019s Working Committee says and the JVP does just that. \u2018Dissolve!\u2019 screams Ranil and Anura\u2019s voice repeats, \u2018Dissolve\u2026..solve\u2026.olve\u2026.\u2019 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s all about clutching at parliamentary straws. The JVP needs the 20th Amendment scuttled so that the PR system is kept intact and with it earn the right to hope for a few seats in the next Parliament. In 2010 the JVP needed to hang on to Sarath Fonseka to save face. Do not be surprised if the JVP joins a UNP-led coalition. They will no doubt say \u2018in the name of democracy\u2019 by way of dealing with the embarrassment of siding with THE Right Wing Party of the country. On the other hand, if one goes with performance, the SLFP has not been less \u2018Right\u2019 and the JVP bedded with that party too.<\/p>\n

All this is interesting of course. It does not hide the fact that the JVP has aged. It has won membership in the Old Boys\u2019 Club, \u2018The Old Left\u2019. Perhaps only because those who ran that particular show are no longer around or have made themselves irrelevant. Well, that\u2019s the future that the JVP is looking at now. <\/p>\n

Courtesy:malindawords.blogspot.ca<\/p>\n

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By Malinda Seneviratne First there was the Left. It was still \u2018Left\u2019 even though those bunched at that end of the political spectrum disagreed vehemently and took turns at calling each other Running Dogs of Imperialism and other lovely names. Then came the JVP. Originally the product of a split, the JVP dis\/relocated itself in …<\/p>\n

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