Expressing doubt whether polls will be held in the war-torn north, the TNA’s chief ministerial candidate for the province, C.V. Vigneshwaran says that the government might bringing forth “conditions” which will see that the election does not take place.

The retired judge stated that at present the government has complete control over the Northern Province and that the army is “interfering in everything the local population is doing.”

“They have 15 out of 20 battalions in that area. They have taken over land of the people and they are not giving it back to them. They have taken over vast areas of land for cultivations and not handed them back. They are having full control with regard to day-to-day activities,” he said, detailing the ways by which the government is having full control in the province.

If a Provincial Council is established that control will be affected, he said, in an exclusive interview with Ada Derana.

Mr Vigneshwaran therefore stated that he is of the opinion that the government might think in terms of somehow bringing about conditions which will see that the election does not take place. “Of course they are also fearing public opinion and international opinion,” he noted.

“These are my doubts that I am bringing on. But I hope that is not done,” he said.    

Asked how he feels about being named as the TNA’s Chief Ministerial candidate for the Northern Province, Mr Vigneshwaran said: “I feel like the person who has jilted his lover and who is getting married to the girl his parents have found for him.”

The former Supreme Court judge stated that he did not want and “still do not want” this position, however he has been, more or less, forced into this spot because everybody has taken up the position that this is a job that possibly might be done by him.

“Therefore when there was so much pressure I informed them if every constituent party of the TNA will agree to my common candidature, then I will consider their request favorably,” he said.    

Mr Vigneshwaran stated that several TNA MPs including R. Sampanthan and Mavai Senathirajah met him yesterday and informed him of their decision to name him as their common candidate.

Mr Vigneshwaran stated that he was always against it and is not interested in the position even now. “But then I have no alternative. So I take it upon myself as a duty towards my community, which I am trying to do.”