{"id":135646,"date":"2014-12-26T04:02:05","date_gmt":"2014-12-25T22:32:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=135646"},"modified":"2014-12-30T01:09:40","modified_gmt":"2014-12-29T19:39:40","slug":"maithripala-and-chandrika-discuss-campaign-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/maithripala-and-chandrika-discuss-campaign-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"Maithripala And Chandrika Discuss Campaign Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Malinda Seneviratne<\/span><\/a> –<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Malinda<\/a>

Malinda Seneviratne<\/p><\/div>\n

Meanwhile In A Parallel Universe<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

If it is rumoured that former president Chandrika Kumaratunga<\/span><\/a> was instrumental in getting Maithripal Sirisena<\/span><\/a> to take on Mahinda Rajapaksa<\/span><\/a>, the lady\u2019s thinly disguised treatment of the candidate as though he was a serf in her ancestral estate almost turns it into fact. If that were the case then Maithripala should be grateful. For now. After all, he\u2019s earned more brand-points over the last few weeks than he has accumulated over the last 40 plus years in active politics in the SLFP. If he loses, then he can\u2019t exactly say \u2018thank you, madam.\u2019 He might think to himself, \u2018I should have said, \u201cthank you madam, but no\u201d.\u2019 But that\u2019s all conjecture. For now.<\/p>\n

Right now, in a parallel universe, Maithripala goes to see Chandrika (yes, not the other way about) to discuss the status of the campaign. Here\u2019s the transcript of the animated discussion.<\/p>\n

\u2018Good morning Madam,\u2019 Maithripala was habitually respectful. He didn\u2019t sit down until Chandrika said \u2018Sit, sit\u2026let\u2019s talk.\u2019<\/p>\n

He sat. Waited. Respectfully. Chandrika was bubbling with enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

\u2018Mahinda is finished!\u2019<\/p>\n

\"Maithripala<\/a>“There\u2019s still a long way to go Madam,\u2019 Maithripala was seasoned enough to know that it\u2019s not over until it is over and wondered why his former boss was acting like a first time candidate for a Pradeshiya Sabha.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018Oh! I know, I know. But the other day I finished him off. I took away his brag about winning the war!\u2019<\/p>\n

Maithripala remembering that in the press conference held to announce his presidential bid he had paid a glowing tribute to Mahinda Rajapaksa for his leadership in ridding the country of terrorism, looked at Chandrika without betraying incredulity but still showing a bit of skepticism. It took a fraction of a moment, too quick for Chandrika to notice. She went on. And on. And on.<\/p>\n

\u2018I said what everyone knows. I said that I reclaimed 75% of LTTE-held areas while I was President. I said that I never bragged about it. I said I never put up huge cut-outs of myself or took credit for this victory. You see Maithree, when I say I reclaimed 75% territory it sounds like I did 75% of the work and people will think Mahindaya had to do only 25%. So he can\u2019t make any claims about winning the war. This is how you must to politics. <\/em> You must tell the truth but perhaps not the whole truth. The balance will be added by others!\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018But Madam, how about Alimankada?\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Tosh. What\u2019s the difference between Alimankada and Pamankada?\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Pooneryn, Mullaitivu?\u2019 Maithripala couldn\u2019t hide the incredulity now.<\/p>\n

\u2018Just names. Details.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018How about demoralizing the troops with your various peace carnivals, caravans etc?\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018You see Maithree, you are new to this game. In politics you never know how things could end. It is good to keep options open. So I did both. I asked the generals to fight even as I asked Mangala and my NGO friends like Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu and Jehan Perera to make a big song and dance about how the war couldn\u2019t be won. If we won, I would get the credit. If we didn\u2019t then I can say \u201cI listened to the voice of reason!\u201d Easy!\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018You didn\u2019t win. And you didn\u2019t get any peace either, Madam.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018I did my best,\u2019 Chandrika snapped, a tad annoyed. \u2018I tried to appease. Remember PTOMs? Remember promising to lease out the North and East to Prabhakaran for 10 years?\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018In other words conceding the 75% and offering three times as much?\u2019 Maithripala was sounding a bit Presidential all of a sudden.<\/p>\n

\u2018My! My! My! \u0d9c\u0dd9\u0db8\u0dca\u0db6\u0dd9\u0d9a\u0dca \u0d8b\u0da9 \u0d9c\u0dd2\u0dba \u0dad\u0dbb\u0db8\u0d9a\u0dca (Look how high a frog has jumped)!\u2019 Chandrika said testily, but recovered enough composure to change the subject. \u2018Anyway, you must admit that I was spot on about election malpractices, huh?\u2019<\/p>\n

Maithripala didn\u2019t reply. He thought to himself.<\/p>\n

\u2018She\u2019s obviously forgetting the Wayamba Provincial Council. She\u2019s forgetting a lot of things. She\u2019s also forgotten that I said categorically that \u201ccomputer jilmart<\/em>\u201d is not possible. There\u2019s obvious abuse of state resources during a campaign and that given ruling party candidates a big advantage. There\u2019s also intimidation of people who are believed to be loyal to the opponent, but nothing serious happens to the votes, ballot boxes etc.\u2019<\/p>\n

Aloud, he said, \u2018Madam, I think you have made your point. You said it loud and clear. About the war, about election malpractices, fraud and nepotism. Madam, I think you\u2019ve done more than we expected. I came here to thank you from the bottom of the heart. Madam, I think you should rest now. Leave it to us, we can manage it from here onwards.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Thanks so much Maithree,\u2019 Chandrika beamed and added, \u2018Yes, I\u2019m exhausted. I think I\u2019ve done my part and now it\u2019s all up to you. I will rest a bit. I want to be fully rested and ready to roll when you win. I can\u2019t wait to become leader of the SLFP again. People wrote me off, but they are wrong. Ruling this country is my birthright. Thanks to you, I will return to power. Then we\u2019ll see!\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Of course Madam. You will get your \u0db1\u0dd2\u0dc3\u0dd2 \u0dad\u0dd0\u0db1 (suitable position).\u2019 Maithripala said. Straight face.<\/p>\n

Chandrika swallowed it. Maithripala bowed with perfect deference. Left.<\/p>\n

*Malinda Seneviratne is the Chief Editor of \u2018The Nation\u2019 and his articles can be found at www.malindawords.blogspot.com <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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