Minister of Urban Development, Water Supply Drainage and Leader of the Muslim Congress (SLMC), Rauff Hakeem yesterday warned the United National Party that it would not hesitate to make major political decisions if agreements reached between the two allies were breached.
“Considering discussions that took place with the UNP at Sirikotha for the past three weeks, and looking at the events that have taken place subsequently, we believe that it is difficult to go ahead in agreement with the UNP,” the statement from Minister Hakeem read.
In his communique, the SLMC leader noted that his party faced difficulties because of its decision to ally with the UNP at the recently concluded local government election.
He warned the UNP against trying to build coalitions with other parties in councils where the SLMC won clear majorities to appoint a chairman of its choice.
Hakeem added that the SLMC was also holding discussions with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), and the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Minister Duminda Dissanayake.
The communiqué further reads that the SLMC has informed the Premier of the demerits of the new election system and how it has adversely affected the Muslim people based on delimitation and reiterated that the SLMC was hopeful about reverting to the former electoral system for the provincial polls.