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TULF in turmoil

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO DEC. 2. The Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), a political party known for its moderate stance, is currently caught in an internal tussle over the "sole representative" status accorded to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

While a majority of the party's 38-member central committee, including the senior vice-president, Joseph Pararajasingham, and the general secretary, R. Sampanthan, want the LTTE to be recognised as the sole representative of the Tamils, the TULF president, V. Anandasangaree, does not agree. As the wrangle over the issue continues, Tamil political observers feel that the "LTTE will be the biggest winner" as a result of the party's internal spat.

"There is no split in the party," both Mr. Anandasangaree and Mr. Pararajasingham told The Hindu. However, the similarity of view ends there. Those who recognise the new LTTE status say that Mr. Anandasangareehad "lost the confidence of the party" and should step down.

Mr. Anandasangaree, emphatic that he will not bow down to the "stooges of the LTTE", said "they are taking the body and soul of the party to the LTTE. They deserve sympathy not anger." The LTTE, he said, "wants me out somehow or the other." Those who want the LTTE to be the sole representatives of the Tamils "can honourably say that they are joining the LTTE", rather than "betray the founding principles" of the party.

Mr. Pararajasingham said the TULF was a constituent of the four-party Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which won the last election on a pro-LTTE platform, and had, therefore, to recognise the rebels as the sole representatives. Moreover, the LTTE was now talking with the Government and, hence, should be accepted as the sole representative.

Two attempts to remove Mr. Anandasangaree from the president's post were not carried through at the central committee. Its last meeting, held here, ended in a fracas and both sides came with conflicting versions. The next meeting has been scheduled for December 14, in the eastern Amparai district, where the LTTE has a direct presence. With Mr. Anandasangaree and his supporters unable to go to Amparai, the meeting is likely to be chaired by Mr. Pararajasingham.

Barring Mr. Anandasangaree, six other TULF MPs and 25 of the 38 members in the central committee want the LTTE to be called the "sole representative of the Tamils." However, political observers feel that this line-up is based on fear. "They have taken this position as they would have to retain their parliamentary seats and are threatened. This cannot be seen as a democratic division."

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