KELUM BANDARA 
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Horse trading underway to form local governments: Opposition
- More than 100 local bodies, including CMC, in “hung” situations
- NPP criticised for abandoning its anti-corruption and clean-politics rhetoric
- Opposition MPs say members offered up to Rs. 2.5Mn to support NPP
- Vijitha Herath says NPP would not endorse a fraudulent political culture
Colombo, May 13 (Daily Mirror) - The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) alleged that the National People’s Power (NPP), in stark contrast to its pre-election rhetoric, had resorted to dubious means to rope in the support of members elected from other parties and independent groups to form administrations at local authorities where it does not enjoy a majority.
A tussle is now ongoing between the NPP and the opposition parties in an attempt to form administrations for the local authorities in hung situations. There are well over 100 local authorities, including the Colombo Municipal Council, where the opposition parties and independent groups have secured more members than the NPP. In such situations, the head of the local authority- mayor or chairman- should be appointed in a secret ballot with majority approval.
According to political sources, the NPP is in the process of reaching out to members of various parties and independent groups to secure the required number to form administrations in places where it does not enjoy majority support.
Mr. Appuhamy, a Puttalam District MP, said that he received information about lucrative offers being made through various parties to elected members.
“This is ironic. The NPP harped on others for indulging in such dirty politics. Now, they do the same as reported to us,” he said.
SJB MP for the Kurunegala District Dayasiri Jayasekara also said he received information about sums as high as Rs. 2.5 million being offered to members each, who are willing to cooperate with the NPP to form local administrations.
However, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath said his party would not endorse fraudulent political culture, but would seek the support of members of other parties and groups who are eager to press ahead with the government’s progressive development agenda.
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