No matter how terrifying the cobra might look, only a few people would be afraid of it, if it was known that its venomous fangs have been removed. The armed struggle of the Liberation Tigers of the Tamil Ealam (LTTE) became intense only after its mentor S.J.V. Chelvanayagam said, that only Almighty God can save the Tamil nation. However, it was seen that the decades-long struggle of the LTTE did not see any salvation in the end. In the meantime, emerging facts indicate that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the only progeny of the LTTE is also becoming weak and diluted especially at a time when it should be fortifying itself.
Soon after Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa emerged victorious in the 2005 presidential election, his party launched a number of 'divide and destroy' ploys, which turned out to be very successful. Many political parties that were majestically portraying themselves as strong representatives of minorities, soon started to deflate. Many United National Party (UNP) front liners succumbed to this ruse and left the party to join the ruling regime. UNP deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya also left the party to join the government.
Trap of Divide and Destroy
In this backdrop, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) buildup great hopes of becoming the next major opposition party and moved ahead accordingly, only to be ensnared in the government's trap of divide and destroy. Subsequently, Wimal Weerawansa, the JVP's pinup boy and stalwart of the party, left the party along with some senior members and formed the National Freedom Front. This dealt a considerable blow to the JVP and weakened it to the core.
At this juncture, an important matter should be pointed out. In the past, Karuna Amman, one time Eastern commander of the LTTE, left the movement after a conflict his peers. Present Eastern Chief Minister Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan, a hardcore member of the LTTE, also followed Karuna's footsteps. Both Karuna and Pillayan announced later that they are entering the path of democracy by forming a political party.
In fact, the objective of this article is not to explore the developments of their party but it is well known that the newly formed party was grounded even before take off mainly because of the disagreements of its founders. Karuna and Pillayan then openly expressed conflicting views and this situation developed into mini-warfare in the East. At present, Karuna and Pillayan have joined the government representing two different factions.
Dominance of LTTE
Amid this chaos, the TNA somehow held itself together and chugged along in its chosen path without falling prey to the ploy of 'divide and destroy' for some time. However, the clout that the TNA wields at present is a far cry from its original depiction. The alliance had been a group that was controlled by a remote device, which was operated by the LTTE leadership. The LTTE decided and finalized the next move of the TNA. Noticeable objections did not spring from the TNA when the LTTE had been a formidable power to reckon with. This submissiveness of the alliance toward LTTE had been a public secret.
There was another reason for this attitude of the alliance. The popularity of the LTTE played an illusive but large role in all the political successes of the TNA. The dominance of the LTTE was directly seen in the political pursuits of the TNA. There was a time when the TNA enjoyed the most numbers of seats among Tamil parties in Parliament, thanks to the awe-inspiring influence of the LTTE.
It is a thought whether the elimination of the LTTE is the reason for the present downfall of the TNA. Desertions and disagreements are accepted norms in any political party. Take for instance, the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where members of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam are constantly crossing over fences. Intermittently, someone would start new political parties too. However, the consequences of these crossovers and counter-crossings would only reflect within the respective parties and rarely would affect the public in the Tamil Nadu.
Situation in Sri Lanka
Unfortunately the situation in Sri Lanka is different. Which Tamil political party can call itself influential to exert any pressure on the government? The Sinhala majority is well aware that TNA is representing the Tamil community to a considerable extent with its 22 MPs but if it becomes defused and dissolved, no one would seek its support during an election.
It is well-known that the TNA's decisions had wielded lot of influence in the recent presidential elections. However, after the results were announced, certain disagreements that had been lurking inside the alliance have now come to light. One wonders if this situation would have come into being if General Sanath Fonseka had won the presidential elections. If the alliance had left the decision to people without taking sides, it had to lean on the winner and claim it is him they had been supporting. But the alliance did not employ this tactic and this proves that TNA was not able to prudently handle an intricate situation to its advantage.
The TNA is not a children's club. It is party that has intellectuals and weathered politicians in its membership. Therefore, everyone in it should be held responsible for not being able resolve their disagreements. While it is indisputable that this is a setback for the TNA, the results of the forthcoming general election will prove the real strength of the TNA.
The LTTE could not attain a sustainable victory, even with the use of air and sea attacks. Even the movement's formidable international network failed disastrously. In such a context it is highly questionable if the alliance could achieve anything by being a mere political party which too had become shaky with disunity. However, the nature of the outcome of this situation largely rests with the decision the Tamil community would eventually make at the coming general elections. The fact that some front liners of the alliance have left the party also gives dejection to its supporters and makes the party look desolate.
It was a noticeable fact to a certain extent during the recently concluded presidential elections that the Tamil community was not in any way influenced by the disagreements that prevailed within the TNA because it had been a contest that presented a simple choice of selecting between two major contestants. Huge campaigns were not needed to convince the people as to whom they should vote for. Merely following the media reports was sufficient to make decisions. Moreover, there was an attitude of indifference in the air especially among the Tamils over this election and it was obvious that whatever the outcome of presidential election, it was not going make any big difference in the outlook of the alliance. Ironically, even though the TNA supported General Fonseka, it also indirectly benefited when the general lost the fight.
However, it should be understood that parliamentary elections is total different ballgame. Even a small slip in this contest would lead to a major loss for the alliance and could in turn mar the future survival of TNA. As a result, the alliance has been pushed into a corner and it has the irrefutable duty of providing the correct guidance for the Tamil community in this election. Undoubtedly, the TNA supporters would be confused, if totally different views are presented by the members who remain in the party and by those who have deserted the same.
Anyone's opinion could emerge victorious. The success lies in the way opinions are handled and presented. But no one can deny that the political clout of the Tamil community would be eventually mutilated by this type of in-house clashes. Some of those who left the alliance and pledged that they would contest as a separate party have ultimately joined the ruling party.
Tug-of-War Game
If few players leave their side in tug-of-war game that has an equal numbers of contestants, the team that lost its players will be affected. It would not make any difference if the players who abandon their side did not join the opposition. The side that loses players invariably would become weaker because of imbalance.
In the meantime, the issue of internal displacements, along with the present state of inactivity confronting the Tamil expatriates after the defeat of the LTTE, has constituted a major blow to the Tamil political parties. However, it is small consolation that certain groups are still fighting to preserve their Tamil identity with never ebbing zeal.
However, blending the efforts of local as well as expatriate Tamils is vital to make the strife of establishing a Tamil identity really productive. These factions have the paramount responsibility of rebuilding regional nationalistic attitudes while reviving the diminished fortitudes. For instance, it would not be very prolific talking about liberation and freedom to a person who is worrying about his next meal. In addition, the local factions as well as the Tamil Diaspora, who are striving for a Tamil nationalistic identity should realize that a community that had been suffering with basic livelihood restrains would not have the inclinations to think about colossal issues such as political rights, freedom, liberation, etc.
Therefore, parties that have nationalistic aspirations should try to shred their differences as much as possible. They should also be attentive in trying to provide immediate solutions to the basic problems of the people. At the same time, they should prepare themselves to address broader issues in due course. This is relevant to expatriates as well.
If the Tamil parties continue to be at each other's throats, they will eventually fall into the 'divide and destroy' trap. Ultimately, the political apparatus of the Lankan Tamil race would irretrievably fall into a bottomless pit.
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