Mahinda in Mannar: Don’t auction your votes to Muslim politicos
Saturday, 3 January 2015 03:31
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who addressed a rally in the Mannar District yesterday, urged Muslim residents not to auction their votes to Muslim politicos at next week’s election.
Speaking in Tamil to voters in the North Western District, President Rajapaksa said it did not matter who had changed sides in this poll. “It does not matter who has changed sides, I am always on your side. Trust me. I will protect you all,” he said in Tamil.
The President said ministers were not appointed to represent a single religion or race.
During his visit to Mannar, President Rajapaksa also met with Mannar Bishop Rev. Rayappu Joseph. The Government has previously criticised Bishop Joseph as being a LTTE sympathiser.
The ruling party’s Mannar District strongman Rishard Bathiudeen defected to the Opposition last week and pledged support to President Rajapaksa’s main opposition challenger Maithripala Sirisena.
Bathiudeen has been a key factor in securing Muslim votes in Mannar for the ruling party in successive elections over the past decade.
