SLMC National List MP and member of the party high command, M.H.M. Salman says, there is no crisis in the SLMC, but certain members are trying to make out that there is a crisis, especially, in the media. In an interview with the Sunday Observer, MP Salman said, absolutely nothing is based on ideology or leadership matters, but purely on personal gain, positions and favours. One or two people making a noise here and there, is not a crisis and some people are making a big fuss due to personal frustration.
Q: What is the present crisis in the SLMC?
A: There is no crisis in the SLMC. But, certain members are trying to make out that there is a crisis, especially, in the media. They attempt to create a crisis by making use of the media. We don’t see it as a crisis and it is only a difference of opinion. If there is a crisis, at least 10-15 people would be making a stir. One or two people making a noise here and there is not a crisis.
Ultimately, they will get together. There is no choice but to come back. This is the parent party. The SLMC is the “Maha Gedara” of Muslim politics so that they have to come back. Some people are making a big fuss in an attempt to give vent to their frustration.
Q: Your former Leader A.H.M.Ashroff who gave his heart and soul to the SLMC would not have expected such a rift in the SLMC. Your comments?
A: From the time Ashroff passed away, how many rifts have occurred in the SLMC. We lost about 30 to 40 top party members. Today, we have a number of Muslim parties, e. g. Athaualla’s National Congress and Rishad Bathiudeen’s All Ceylon Makkal Congress.
They were all SLMCers. So, if a party undergoes a crisis, people naturally leave, and also come back. We have evolved over time. It’s like that. Nothing is permanent, so is politics.
At present, more than 50 MPs are in the Joint Opposition. So there is crisis in the SLFP as well, but the President is going on. The UNP may also have some issues.
So, crises within political parties are not something new. It is not going to stop tomorrow. Because of a crisis, the parties are not going to collapse. They will survive.
The crisis would provide them more vigour and determination to fight further. If there is no crisis, you just take it easy. If there is a crisis, surely you are determined to face the challenges and eventually succeed. In a way, it’s good to have a crisis.
Q: Is the crisis based on any ideology or is it a leadership crisis?
A: Absolutely nothing is based on ideology or leadership matters. It is purely based on personal gain, positions and favours. If there is any crisis it is purely for personal expectations, not on any ideology or leadership.
Q: Don’t you think any crisis in the SLMC would be to the detriment of your community’s interests in general?
A: The late leader, Ashroff created the SLMC to unify all Muslims. As SLMCers, we always want a single Muslim party and that should be the SLMC.
Even if an ordinary member leaves the party, we feel it very much. Therefore, any person leaving the SLMC would weaken the Muslim cause eventually.
Q: What were the reasons to remove Hassan Ali from the General Secretaryship?
A: He was not removed. Actually, what happened was, the party created a Secretary post while keeping him as Secretary General, while certain powers were transferred to the Secretary, which he didn’t like. He was offered the chairmanship, a much higher, and the number two position in the party, but he didn’t like it.
He was not removed. We only did away with the Secretary General post on the advice of the Elections Commissioner, who would only recognise the Secretary to the party.
So we created the Secretary position, but never removed Hassan Ali. However, the party offered him a higher position, the number two position which he refused. That is it.
Q: Has Hassan Ali quit the party or is he still in the party?
A: No. He is still a member of the party. According to him, he is still a member of the SLMC.
He says he never would quit the party. He is one of the founder members. The SLMC wants him to be with it.
Q: Was there any decision taken by the SLMC to offer a Parliamentary seat to Hassan Ali by pulling you out from the National List?
A: Yes. SLMC Leader Hakeem offered him twice, openly. I was prepared to resign twice, and he was to come back. But, he refused and wanted to be the Secretary and both positions together.
He may have some conditions. At present, the SLMC has a new Secretary, not a Secretary General. Mansoor A. Cader, former Registrar of the South Eastern University is our new party Secretary.
Q: Will there be a rift within the SLMC when its General Secretary is sacked and a new appointment made?
A: About 1,500 delegates on February 12 unanimously appointed a new Secretary to the party.
There is no crisis in the party. As I said before, if there is a crisis it is because of the people using personal positions and giving vent to frustration, nothing based on ideology, policy or programs.
At present, the SLMC is seriously working on the constitutional reform process.
Our leader is a member of the Steering Committee. We are actively participating in various Select Committees, and working on devolution, Provincial Councils and lands.
The SLMC works for the general well being of the people, not only Muslims, but everybody. We especially focus interest on land issues in the North and the East. We have also focused on the displaced people and relief benefits for them.
The SLMC is equally concerned in all issues affecting the people of Sri Lanka, and try to help in whatever manner possible. Even if the SLMC’s emphasis is on Muslims, it will certainly work for all people of the country.