The Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal (TMVP) has decided to push for devolution of powers to the provinces.
TMVP spokesman Azad Maulana said that the decision was taken at the TMVP May Day meeting held last week in the east.
Maulana told The Sunday Leader that the party would urge the government to fully implement the 13thAmendment to the Constitution and through that to devolve maximum powers to the provinces.
“Our position on that is very firm and it was reiterated when we had a rally for May Day last week,” he said.
He also said that the TMVP, a government ally, is ready to work with Leftist political parties and others in the government who support power devolution.
Maulana also said that the TMVP backs holding provincial council elections in the north but has not decided if it would field candidates for the election.
Some political parties in the government have strongly opposed holding provincial council elections in the north.
Minister Wimal Weerawansa is among the most vociferous saying it will give the Tamil National Alliance an upper hand.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa had recently assured that provincial council elections will be held in the north in September.
The President said that the people of the north had suffered immensely as a result of the 30 year war and those people will now have a chance to have provincial council elections.
By Easwaran Rutnam/ SL