Interview of Lal Kantha

Minister portfolios not needed to do politics - Lal Kantha

In the recently concluded general election even after not been elected because of not obtaining sufficient preferential votes the JVP stalwart is still indulged in political activities

After the seat of national list Mayadunne fell vacant the seat was given to Bimal Ratnayake who contested from Gampaha district. However KD Lal Kantha was deprived of this seat. In this connection a weekend newspaper has had a discussion with him.

Question: We thought for Mayadunne’s vacancy you would have been the replacement?

Answer: Several people would have thought so. But the party selected Bimal.

Question: There is opinion from within your close associates that there was somewhat of plot for you in this connection?

Answer: If is a plot or not will be revealed later. We must allow time for that. In future by the magnitude of the amount of politics that each individual does, the truth will be revealed and the answer would be found.

Question: For you to go in front of the people you do not have a green light as you are not Member of Parliament. There is a confusion in the country regarding your role with people?.

Answer:There is no question about that. Within the JVP there is no fast rule in this regard to be indulged in political activities. There are many in our party who are not Members of Parliament who are with the people. For example our colleagues Tilvin Silva and Bimal Ratnayake were engaged in political activities sans having the tag of Members of Parliament. Similarly I also do politics sans been a Member of Parliament. I do a lot of trade union activities. Even at this moment I am doing such work not as a Member of Parliament. Politics is continued not for privileges. Politics is not only becoming a Member of Parliament. We have been entrusted with responsibilities much over that by the party