Rishad moves east

Unleashing his party ACMC to the Eastern province for the first time, ACMC’s leader Rishad Bathiudeen has moved his battle right into the political fulcrum of the East: Ampara, which is also considered as the home turf of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC). Meanwhile, some breakaway Eastern Muslim factions are expected to announce their ACMC backing tomorrow 01 August after Friday Mosque sessions are over.

Addressing the voters in Ampara on 27 in Sammanthurai, ACMC leader Rishad said: “In the Northern Province, our party ACMC is contesting with UNP. Seeing the sad political situation of the Muslims in East, my party ACMC has arrived in Ampara to contest and as a result we are taking on SLMC’s home-base on our own, without being part of any mainstream parties like we do in the North. Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has lost the confidence of Muslims in the country and today, has no strength to face the latest polls on its own. No more the frontrunner in Muslim politics, SLMC is now sadly compelled to join the UNP to collect votes -even in its own bastion Ampara. That is the sad plight of SLMC-a lame duck. Some top Muslim politicians in the country say our ACMC has arrived in Ampara to make the Eastern Muslims politically destitute but let me say that the Eastern Muslims are already politically destitute thanks to the inaction of SLMC in addressing Easterners’ issues.”

Rishad’s Eastern foray started on 24 July in Ninthavur and followed to key eastern spots such as Ampara, Ninthavur, Marudamunai, Kalmunai, Saintamaruthu, Attalachenai, and Akkaraipattu. Rishad was given a rousing welcome by huge crowds specially in Ninthavur, Marudamunai, and Attalachenai. Eastern youth continued to rally round him in increasing numbers.

A well know SLMC organ in Sammanthurai, the Executive Central Committee of SLMC of Mavadipalli of Sammanthurai have already announced their crossing over to ACMC early this week. Several Eastern Muslim civil associations that are readying to back ACMC are expected announce about their support tomorrow 01 August after Friday Mosque sessions are over.

ACMC is fielding 10 candidates to 7 slots of Digamadulla District’s electorates of Ampara, Kalmunai, Sammanthurai and Potuvil in Eastern Province. It is contesting alone in East while in Northern Province, with the UNP.