Media owner’s election participation invokes reactions in Jaffna

Criticism has emerged from various quarters in Jaffna, including the senior activists of Ilangkai Thamizh Arasuk Kadchi (ITAK), against the way the TNA conducted its campaign promoting the General Manager and Industrialist Eswarapatham Saravanapavan, a senior UNP member and the general manger of two leading newspapers, Jaffna based Uthayan and Colombo based Chudaro’li. Meanwhile, the chief editor of the newspaper has complained to his management that he is considering to renounce his vocation as criticisms are levelled against him for his stand in the last parliamentary election, adding that the immense contribution of Uthayan and Chudrao’li to the national cause of Eezham Tamils should not be subjected to underestimation for the sake of a parliamentary seat.

The editor, who was earlier approached by the TNA to stand in the elections had declined the offer. Later, the owner was approached by the TNA.

In the meantime, ITAK senior members C. V. K. Sivagnanam and S. Kulanayagam have released media statements amidst rumours that they were planning to quit the party. The ITAK stalwarts have stated that they will continue to serve the people of Jaffna peninsula in a message to local media in Jaffna on Friday.

The statement comes amidst allegations being raised that they were defeated in the parliamentary election by certain forces within the rank and file of the ITAK that sidelined them in the election campaign, informed sources in Jaffna said.

Mavai Senathirajah, Suresh Premachandran, Vinayagamoorthy, Saravanapavan and Sritharan have won the seats by preferential votes.

CVK Sivagnanam, who contested in the previous elections in Jaffna in ACTC ticket had explained that he was defeated due to the stand taken by the Tigers in extending support to selected candidates. He later resigned from the party.

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