POLITICAL BICKERING DURING THE BUDGET

Dilrook Kannangara

Budget presentation is just 2 weeks away and as usual there will be intense political horse trading and bickering. Rivalry between the SLFP and the JVP has lead to a slow but sure political instability. As the momentum of the last few election victories has subsided, the government is on shaky ground. On the other hand the UNP-LTTE group is clearly staging a comeback. As promised by the Opposition leader sometime back, the UNP plans to form a government by the year end.

It is clear going by the numbers, the government do not have the majority in Parliament. If the budget is not passed, there is only one outcome – another general election. Given the rivalry between the coalition partners of the government, terror threats, uncontrolled rise in cost of living and recent humanitarian catastrophes, it is not that hard to sweep to power.

Also pressure is building up against the UNP leader within the party to satisfy the cravings of its power hungry members. This is a parallel to what happened in 2001 and the UNP leader knows that the only way to make his party supporters toe the line is to grab power.

LTTE has also suffered immensely during the past year in terms of cadres’ morale loss, waning international recognition and the lack of control over the Tamils. They too are pressing their mule, the UNP, to take over the government.

It is my forethought that the coming few weeks are going to be very decisive. Unless the President takes caution in relying on the UNP support, it will most likely be the downfall of the government. It is feeble to think that another election would do any good to the country.

Therefore it is essential at this stage to gather support from the JVP and the JHU. Members of Parliament should be required to renew their oath as in 1979 to protect the territorial integrity, sovereignty and the unitary status of the country. Those who fail to do so should be subjected to the same punishment as then. This will lead to more decent parliamentary sittings and ensure stability of the government. Besides we need MPs with national interest at heart and not terrorists.

It will be a great test of leadership for the best leader we ever had to steer the country away from its present crises and towards prosperity and law and order.