Political leapfrogs ahead of nominations?

Monday, 29 June 2015 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ahead of nominations for the 2015 Parliamentary election that concludes on 15 July, several politicians are expected to change allegiances, political observers and analysts predict.

Major splits are expected during election season, especially within the SLFP, with several senior party members expected to throw in their lot with the former President if he decides to contest elections separately.

The SLFP is in frantic negotiations to keep the party together at the forthcoming polls, but speculation was rife yesterday that UPFA General Secretary and Kaduwela MP Susil Premajayantha would join the ‘Mahinda faction’ of the party. Premajayantha, as General Secretary of the former ruling alliance, holds the rights to the UPFA party registration and betel leaf symbol.

The Mahinda faction is also in possession of the former People’s Alliance registration and chair symbol, and could also field a list of candidates on that party ticket, the Daily FT learns.

Concerned by the SLFP’s electoral fortunes in the face of an imminent split in the party, some former Ministers and MPs are already in talks to join the UNP, the Daily FT learns.