Wednesday, 1 January 2014 00:00
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Budget defeats in 25 local authorities have put an interesting spin on national politics within the last few weeks. Of these the majority expectedly fell to the ruling United National Freedom Alliance (UPFA), while four were borne by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), with one upset being caused for the United National Party (UNP) so far.
High drama ensued at many of the local bodies with UPFA chairmen and deputy chairmen having their necks on the line if the Budget was not passed by any means necessary. In the melee, good governance suffered, perhaps, the greatest defeat as party loyalties were demanded to supersede reason and fact based arguments on the Budgets.
Following high-level UPFA meetings last week, it appears that the errant factions have been pushed back into line by a combination of sticks and carrots. In fact some local language newspapers reported that the wayward members were even promised trips aboard and other perks to get them to cast their precious vote for the provincial council Budget and maintain a united front.
Speculation is also rife that the crony system in existence within the UPFA is creating rifts among party members, causing some to become dissatisfied. Others criticised the President Mahinda Rajapaksa-led UPFA as crushing any conscionable action by party members. The new rules effectively mean that UPFA councillors have to unquestioningly obey the Budget mandate regardless of its negative aspects or face being unceremoniously drummed out of the party.
In Sri Lanka’s notoriously corrupt election system, this would mean the end of any possible advancement financial or otherwise and politicians, ever aware of which side their bread is buttered on, will be even less inclined to support good governance. It is indeed ironic that provincial councillors accused of bribery, corruption and mismanagement are routinely ignored by the UPFA top rungs but when party powers are even slightly threatened are promptly bashed into subservience.
The latest UPFA decision is also, in a sense, rolling back democracy within the party. Members who do not toe the official party line will face consequences regardless of what prompted their dissent. All in all it appears to be a strengthening of the vanguard ahead of promised provincial council elections next year as well as a possible presidential poll.
Five of the rogue provincial councils are in the Western Province, while three others are in the Southern counterpart. Since polls are expected to be unfurled first in these two regions it is obvious why the Government is uneasy over the recent Budget defeats.
For its part the TNA faces a tough task in cementing its election mandate by showing results and the first step is in the Budget. Without funds to prop up its campaign promises the TNA would find themselves coming under censure from its supporters but at the same time has to balance relations with the Central Government and its tight hand on the coffers. Keeping itself united while providing empowerment to the Tamil community will remain its greatest challenge. The UNP’s upset ahead of elections could be seen as a precursor to another dreary result come poll time.
Regardless of this entertaining chain of political misfortune, its impact cannot be overstated. There are 335 local government bodies and the speedy intervention of UPFA has ensured that the 17 provincial council episode is a mere storm in a teacup.
