SLMC power struggle before Elections Commissioner

[TamilNet, Sunday, 05 August 2001, 16:17 GMT]
The leadership crisis in the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress is to be taken to the Commissioner of Elections for a final decision. This is sequel to the power struggle as Mr.Rauff Hakeem and Mr.M.L.A.M.Hisbullah are claiming the leadership of the SLMC.

Kandy district parliamentarian Mr.Rauff Hakeem Sunday told special delegates' conference of the SLMC that "majority members of party's politburo are backing me in the leadership struggle." He rejected the media reports that the SLMC elected a new leader Saturday.

The Secretary General of the SLMC said "his party with Mr.Rauff Hakeem as the president, has been duly recognized by the Commissioner of Elections."

Meanwhile Mr.M.L.A.M.Hisbaullah said Sunday "Twenty five members of the party's politburo met at Darusslam headquarters Saturday and elected me as the new leader of the SLMC. I will inform my election to the Commissioner of Elections Monday. Anybody could challenge my election at the appropriate forum."

In the meantime, Minister Ms Ferial Ashraff congratulated Mr.Hisbullah for being elected President of the SLMC. She said the services of Mr.Hisbullah would be obtained for the National Unity Alliance led by her.