SLMC strongman and former parliamentarian M. L. M. Hizbullah claims that his party is contesting the Batticaloa election despite all odds to ensure Muslim representation and to prevent it from becoming a one horse race for the government and state aided militant groups.

In a telephone interview with The Sunday Leader while campaigning in the east, Hizbullah said that the combined forces have made it impossible for the SLMC and independent candidates to freely campaign in Valachchenai, and blamed SLMC defector Ameer Ali for causing tension in Valachchenai.

As for the violence unleashed in Tamil dominant areas, Hizbullah blamed the LTTE renegade group, the TMVP, which seeks political acceptance by unleashing violence, harassment and forcing civilians to stand as candidates. Excerpts:

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

Q: The SLMC claims that only its presence in the Batticaloa local polls validates the exercise. Why do you say this?

A: Other contesting parties represent the government overtly or covertly. It is only the SLMC that represents opposition politics during this crucial poll. Our presence is crucial because our absence would have made the opposition viewpoint completely absent in this election.

This is also why we come under serious threat. Driving us away would have made it a one horse race. After all, the UNP and the TNA are not contesting. That makes the government's goal easier. We are the thorn in their side.

The SLMC has an important reason for staying on. We have a vote base in Muslim areas. The party membership will be disheartened if we simply caved in. The SLMC has over 4,000 votes in the areas we are contesting and we don't wish to lose political ground.

If we asked the people to reject this election due to its sheer one-sidedness, we will lose the seats we have to Tamil parties.

We have an ethnic population that needs and deserves representation. So we will stick to the fight.

Q: Your candidates and supporters have come under threat and physical harm during the campaign and pre-nomination period. Why contest when the results appear to be written on the wall already?

A: We did not ask for this election. We are compelled by circumstances to contest. I believe the conditions are not even conducive to conduct polls.

We come under attack regularly due to our bold decision to contest. Or else the government and its allies could have swept the polls without a contest.

The violence unleashed against us is also the handy work of a SLMC defector, Ameer Ali. Our candidates have been harassed and their houses torched in Valachchenai. The other three areas in which we contest are peaceful and incident free. Our guess is the government is blatantly using Ameer Ali to unleash violence against SLMC candidates to intimidate and drive them away. So far, about seven candidates had their houses torched and grenades hurled at their homes. But we won't be scared away.

Q: There are reports of Muslim armed groups operating in Batticaloa. Do you think the prevailing militancy is feeding militancy to other communities as well?

A: The government has taken a conscious decision to somehow win this election. There is much evidence to prove this fact. There are no separate Muslim armed groups excepting of course Ameer Ali's group that terrorises people in Valachchenai and specially SLMC supporters and candidates. He calls himself a SLMC member but works for the government. There is police support and that's why the situation has become impossible. There, the law of the jungle prevails.

We had three seats there and we will do our best to retain them. The only armed Muslim group functions with the government's blessings and this question should be redirected to them.

Q: In your opinion, is the situation in Batticaloa conducive for holding elections? Or is it the presence of armed groups that has caused unrest during the election?

A: The Tamil dominant areas are under a cloud due to the TMVP's activities, aided by the government. The TMVP does not operate in isolation and why the situation remains volatile is because that's the way the government wants to have it.

People are scared to participate in the election process. They don't discuss politics and are forced to stand in as candidates. That's the level of public acceptance they have.

This is a poll thrust upon the people for obvious reasons. The area is not ready. Refugees are yet to be resettled.

Q: What are your chances of securing victory? 

A: We have enjoyed some six seats in the four areas in which we contest. We hope to retain them. It will be nicer to go beyond but we are realistic enough to accept that everything possible will be done to minimise SLMC's electoral success.

We are also mindful of the conditions of violence and intimidation created here. Lots of people think we are in an unwinnable situation because of the conditions created by the government and the TMVP.

The outcome will be known only on March 10. It is quite possible to have the poll rigged and in Muslim areas, to prevent civilians from voting. If that happens, of course the outcome will be very different. We don't underestimate the government's ability to make it impossible for election results to reflect public opinion. In fact we don't doubt that every attempt would be made to distort the result.

Q: Why in your opinion, does the government appear hell-bent on winning this election?

A: The government needs the Batticaloa MC, for then it would be an endorsement of its policies and particularly, the war thrust. It is a predominantly Tamil area and a victory there would reflect Tamil support for the government's agenda.

Naturally the powers that be are aware how difficult it would be to convince the people to vote on their own, hence coercion, violence and intimidation, well aided by an armed group that is yet to don democratic garb. But it will serve the purpose of legitimising all the excesses so far.

Winning the BMC is a political victory, an endorsement of the government's policy and military agenda and above all, evidence of Tamil support for such agenda.

The Batticaloa MC area has a total vote of 42,000 of which about 2000 are Muslim votes. It is a crucial body because that's the biggest local body in the district.

If we go back in history, the Batticaloa MC had been secured under different leaders under similar circumstances. Presidential commissions were appointed to go into election violence and reports were drafted but nothing happened.

It is the same fervour this government now brings in to secure victory.  Some people associated with the violence in the past have now returned to Batticaloa to help the government conducts its campaign. Their methods are not the most democratic either.

Q: What could be the government's reasons for being in a coalition with the TMVP to win the Batticaloa Municipal Council, besides the need to legitimise the outfit?

A: The government knows that it won't have public support, given its anti Tamil thrust since coming into power. Also, don't forget that Batticaloa has a considerable refugee population. The numbers swelled due to the recent military engagements.

They need a crutch, and the TMVP is that. Given its past, the TMVP is not accepted by the people, hence the government mechanism at work, seeking to confer legitimacy.

Q: Are you happy with the security provided to candidates?

A: We are happy with the personal security provided to the candidates, but not the security arrangements in the district. If they were good, how come all the unrest and violence here?

The real issue is the hostile backdrop created by the government and the TMVP, an armed group trying to portray itself as a democratic political outfit.

Voters live in fear. The TMVP candidates have been forced to stand in. Those who opposed were abducted or harmed in other ways. That's why the SLMC feels that this is no real election. But we will democratically seek representation in selected areas, despite threats, intimidation, killings and abductions.

We refuse to sacrifice our voter base to undemocratic forces or to compromise Muslim interests fearing personal safety. Our right to be represented in local bodies won't be subjugated by the presence of various warlords aided by the government. SLMC is not a defeatist political party and we will contest, no matter what.

TMVP Head, Pillayan said the party's decision to join the UPFA was to get the support of the government in order to carry out its development projects in the east.

In an email interview with The Sunday Leader Pillayan denied allegations that the TMVP had forced civilians to contest under its banner and also said it would not replace the successful candidates with TMVP members. Explaining further Pillayan said that those who have joined his party to serve the people were also like their party members and there was no reason to replace them if they worked according to party principles.

Pillayan also added that the TMVP would work to develop the standards of the people in the east with the assistance of the government.

He further said the basic facilities had not been provided to the areas captured by the military and that the party had already identified the problems to be addressed. Excerpts:

Q: The TMVP has been accused of not being a democratic, political entity, with cadres openly carrying arms in the run up to the Batticaloa local government elections. Why is it unable to shed its military image now that it has the opportunity to seek public office?

A: The TMVP switched to democracy in 2004, because we know through experience that the rights and aspirations of the Tamil speaking people cannot be fulfilled through military means. We were not provided with adequate security when we joined the political stream by those who were in the government. We would not have lost many of our cadres if they had given us security. And we would not have carried arms today. We are not carrying arms to fight or for a political solution - it is only for our security. This has no connection with the local government elections. At the same time we do not like to continue to carry arms.

Disarming is possible if we are assured of political protection and support. The scheduled local government elections might be a beginning for that to happen. There is no connection whatsoever  between our carrying arms and our political activities. The government has provided police protection to each candidate. Therefore, our arms will not affect the election.

Q: The TMVP is also accused of intimidating other contestants through terror tactics including killings and abductions. What is your response?

A: You have asked about the false allegations levelled against us by brokers of the Tigers and the media. If you study the list of candidates representing the TMVP, you will see that 70% of them are civilian representatives while the rest are TMVP members. This is because people consider that we have got the opportunity to represent our people through the local government elections after a long time. The people consider the TMVP as the only way. We decided to nominate many learned people to contest under the TMVP symbol at their own request. We did not force them to do so. The people themselves came forward to contest. If you wish to check this, please pay a visit to Batticaloa. We will make arrangements for you to hold discussions with the civilians and the candidates.

Q: Doesn't it denote reluctance by the community to identify themselves with the TMVP, largely perhaps, due to your current reputation as a militant outfit?

A: Some of the political parties and media organisations try to show us as a military outfit. Our people have a better understanding of us. They know that they need us. The people  have realised that the TMVP was instrumental in redeeming them from  dictatorial  rule. They know that the solutions to the problems they face could be provided by the TMVP. I don't understand why you take so much interest on this issue when the people themselves don't.

Q: Why are you in an alliance with the UPFA for Batticaloa and not for the other eight local bodies? Do you fear rejection there?

A: We did not enter the political mainstream only for perks and power. We also have to solve their problems and develop our people educationally, socially, and economically. We do not need rulers who cannot provide these to the people. We joined the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) to contest in Batticaloa for this reason. By being a partner of the government, we can help our people by providing them with education and social and infrastructure development through the government. Our mayor, who will be elected with the support of the government could negotiate with the government for assistance for economic development.

The basic facilities and infrastructure development have not been provided to the areas captured by the security forces. The schools are facing many difficulties. People are facing difficulties in carrying on their livelihoods. Winning the local government elections alone will not give us enough power to solve the current issues. We can only solve these issues if we capture power in the local government bodies with the support of the government. At the same time, we also have to maintain our identity. That is why we are contesting the eight local government bodies on our own.

Q: It is also said that the TMVP is forcing people to stand in as candidates, as reported by the Special Report No. 29 of the UTHR(J). Why is this so?

A: A lot of people including the Tigers are against the holding of local government elections in the east. They also do not want the TMVP to be elected. The statements in the Special Report support that stance. We have not received any official complaints to the effect that we have forced civilians to contest under the TMVP. No one has asked for explanations from us with regard to this issue. We are ready to explain our stance in this regard to anyone who wants to know the truth. I challenge those who accuse us, to prove that we have forced people to contest under our banner. They should not play political games with our people without any evidence. 

Q: There are reported instances of reluctant candidates facing dire consequences. How do you justify such actions?

A: You have asked this question based on the statements made by people who work according to the agenda of the Tigers. Can they provide evidence for these accusations levelled against us? I consider it a waste of time to talk about baseless remarks and allegations.

Q: Are you going to retain the successful candidates or replace them subsequently with your own cadres?

A: We always respect the thinking and the wishes of the people. We have no need to change the candidates who have been elected by the people. Those who have joined our party to serve the people are also like our party members. Why should we replace them? No one who works according to the party principles will be replaced.

Q: If elected, what specific development projects would you launch in Batticaloa? What are the developmental priorities according to the TMVP?

A: We have identified the problems and have given priority to those, which need to be addressed immediately. We are concentrating on the development of schools and roads, while ensuring that the people could go ahead with their livelihoods without any problems.  At the same time, we should remember that we are only contesting local government bodies. Therefore, we have to carry out our development plans within the framework with the support of the government. We will make sure that with this fabulous beginning, we would win the future provincial council elections and extend our development activities.