Rajapaksa, 69, who lost to Sirisena in the January presidential election, publicly announced on Wednesday that he wanted to lead an opposition faction in the August elections.
Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa's attempt to stage a political comeback and become prime minister suffered a setback today when talks within the ruling UPFA to let him lead the campaign in the general elections failed.
"The talks to make him (Rajapaksa) lead the polls campaign completely failed," said Vasudeva Nanayakkara, a Rajapaksa loyalist. Nanayakkara said constituent party leaders of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) alliance had met President Maithripala Sirisena to make a last ditch attempt to see if Rajapaksa could be made the prime ministerial candidate in the parliamentary elections scheduled for August 17.
"The plan was to have a common list from both sides (Sirisena's and Rajapaksa's), Nanayakkara said. But Sirisena apparently rejected to agree to Rajapaksa's nominations. Sirisena has come under pressure against his leaning over Rajapaksa's nominations, compelling the faction led by the ex-president to hold several meetings to sort out the issue.
Rajapaksa, 69, who lost to Sirisena in the January presidential election, publicly announced yesterday that he wanted to lead an opposition faction in the August elections. His attempted return to UPFA is being blocked by Sirisena, 63, in line with the mandate he received against Rajapaksa, accused of multiple graft charges and siphoning off millions.
Rajapaksa's decade-long rule was marked by allegations of corruption, nepotism and disregard for the rule of law. Sirisena is under pressure from civil society groups to probe the allegations since he vowed during his presidential campaign to eliminate corruption from public life.
Defying the allegations, Rajapaksa's allies say the former president would contest the August polls as the leader of another political front. Sirisena called general elections last month to strengthen his position in the legislative assembly, where some of his key reforms are facing resistance from Rajapaksa loyalists.
Also Read: Former Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa to stand for PM in polls
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