Two district branches of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) have decided to support the Tamil common candidate in the upcoming Presidential Election.
The Kilinochchi District branch of ITAK made this decision first, unanimously adopting a proposal during their District Committee meeting on 9 September, chaired by MP Sivagnanam Shritharan of ITAK. The branch has committed to actively campaigning for the victory of
P. Ariyanethiran, the Tamil common candidate, starting from 10 September.
This decision was in contrast to the ITAK Central Committee’s recent “unanimous” decision to support Sajith Premadasa, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB’s) Presidential candidate. Despite this, the Kilinochchi branch chose to support a different candidate.
Similarly, the Trincomalee District branch of ITAK has also adopted a resolution in favour of the Tamil common candidate and has commenced its own campaign efforts.
ITAK, a prominent political party representing Tamils in the North and East, had previously pledged support for Sajith Premadasa at the 21 September election. This support was announced on 1 September, while Shritharan was in the UK.
The ITAK Central Committee’s decision to support Premadasa, instead of Ariyanethiran, has led to a request for Ariyanethiran to withdraw from the race in an effort to address divisions within the Tamil electorate. Despite this, many ITAK members reportedly support Ariyanethiran personally and there is speculation that he may secure over 100,000 votes.