3rd Lead (Adds photos)

Tamils should vote only for policy-Thamilchelvan

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 February 2004, 09:43 GMT]
"We unanimously decided today that the Tamil people should vote only for policies of the Tamil National Alliance. This is the wish of our leader and our leadership. Tamils should unite under one leadership and one policy for this election," said Mr. S. P Thamilchelvan speaking to the press at the conclusion of a three hour long meeting with leaders of the Tamil National Alliance at the headquarters of Liberation Tigers’ political division in Kilinochchi Tuesday. "The TNA will definitely field Muslim candidates," he stressed.

The secretary general of the Tamil United Liberation Front, Mr. R. Sampanthan was also present at the meeting with the press.

Mr. Thamilchelvan said the LTTE’s political wing would play a major role in the election campaign this time. He said no final decision on the question of the TNA symbol was taken at the discussion. "We exchanged views on the matter. But the TNA will deliberate and decide on the question of the symbol tomorrow," he said.

Refuting a report in which he was quoted as saying that Sinhala parties cannot contest in the northeast, he said: "Sinhala parties can contest anywhere in the northeast. It is their freedom to do so. I only said that the Tamils might not prefer Sinhala parties."

Meanwhile, Mr. Sampanthan said that the court case against the TULF won’t cause any problems in filing nominations next week.



Mr.Thangan, Deputy Head of LTTE Political wing with Thamilchelvan and Sampanthan