Convention consequences

AS the dust settles on the United National Party (UNP) convention, the rest of the country is facing its consequences. With the adoption of the six year leadership tenure, the stage has been set for UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to cement his status within the party, but how that will affect his legacy remains to be decided.

One thing that was made apparent during the convention was that despite unsuccessful attempts by UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa to defeat the resolution, he is nonetheless still eyeing the possibility of contending for the next presidential election. Premadasa made his intensions quite clear by telling the participants that should Wickremesinghe choose to not contest the next round of elections, he would be happy to lead the UNP.

What is even more interesting is that he had insisted that the UNP refrain from backing a common candidate, as was done with former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, and present a UNP member for the role. Using the title ‘outsider’, Premadasa made it quite clear that his eye is still focused on gaining political power within the party and regardless of the extension of leadership tenure, is quite content to stay his course.

For all intents and purposes, Wickremesinghe has come out on top – at least for the moment. As the undisputed leader till 2016, he now has the time to sit back from the inter-party fray and concentrate on rebuilding his image among the public. Yet, he may have to continue to contend with dissenters who could use upcoming challenges to sideline him, regardless of the new regulations.

Nonetheless, these are not mutually exclusive issues. If Wickremesinghe can sweep aside public doubts and the defeats suffered during the past few years, he will gain a better footing with the voters thus undermining any attempts to replace him. It will literally be killing two birds with one stone – or in this case, killing one elephant and damaging a chair.

Putting the questionable convention behind him would be the start. Many party stalwarts as well as the general public have been disappointed in the way the convention was convened since it blatantly favoured Wickremesinghe supporters. This questionable adherence to democracy has been put aside by time and the question now is whether the UNP can prevail on crucial issues affecting the people. Failing that, at least use it to their advantage.

The launch of the 161 battalions to oust the Government did not gain widespread media attention as disillusioned public see it as yet another damp squib. With the festive season around the corner, the immediate pummelling horse for the UNP would be the cost of living – that is obediently trotted out every year. However, getting this old horse to kick the Government hard will be the challenge.

Other points such as rampant corruption, cronyism, and lack of law and order, transparency and accountability issues, have also been lying around for years without effectively being supported by the UNP.

Before and beyond winning elections, Wickremesinghe needs to rally his troops and provide effective checks and balances for the Government’s actions. Even within Colombo where the Municipal Council is held by the UNP, there are few effective steps being taken to meet these massive challenges.    

Even though Wickremesinghe can use this newfound lease of life to consolidate the UNP, the manifold tasks ahead of him ensure that his load is by no means lightened. The masses will now unequivocally look to him for answers and if he in unsuccessful, unreservedly put all blame on him as well.