“This victory is a victory for soft power, a victory for our future”: M.A. Sumanthiran

''Following is the text of 

statement issued by TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran following the conclusion of the 2015 Parliamentary election at which the party secured 16 seats''

TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran

The Tamil National Alliance has achieved a resounding victory at the 2015 general election, successfully overcoming the challenges and fierce opposition it faced.

For the second time this year, the Tamil people have shown a clear intention to strengthen the hand of the Tamil National Alliance. They have done so keeping intact the goal of their long term political struggle, and with hope that their lives will be restored. Our people’s clear recognition of the crucial nature of this election, and their overwhelming response in casting their vote and thus ensuring the victory of the Tamil National Alliance, once again reflects to the world the great political wisdom of the Tamil People. Let me take this opportunity to first humbly express my heartfelt thanks to all those who voted for us.

Let me also express my heartfelt thanks to all the people of my native Jaffna who placed their trust in me and cast the 58,043 preferential votes I received from the Jaffna electoral division. This victory is just the beginning for us.

My humble and affectionate thanks to all the Provincial Council Members and Local Council Members of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi who stood by me and gave of their time and energy, working tirelessly for my victory, expecting nothing in return. I will need your continued help and cooperation in the future as well.

This victory also belongs to the youth who campaigned for me, going from door to door, introducing me to people who did not know about me, and clarifying the doubts and questions concerning my political stance. Their clear thinking and political understanding gives me great hope for the future of Tamil politics. I am also aware of youth who have a part in this victory by way of their work via Facebook. My thanks to you as well.

I see my victory as the victory of my politics. I had decided that if I contested and lost this election, I would withdraw from the political arena. The people have chosen me despite the overwhelming false allegations and propaganda that targeted me. This strongly reflects their faith and dedication to my political stance – the politics of soft power. This victory is a victory for soft power. This victory is a victory for our future. This victory is the victory of our youth.

The Tamil people cannot experience any more loss. We cannot continue to lose our youth in devastating numbers in the future. Now is the time to move forwards, with dignity, towards what has been achieved as a result of our suffering. Emotional speeches and empty rhetoric will only weaken us politically and will never result in a solution dawning.    

I bow to the decree of the Tamil people. I will serve according to the mandate given.  I will work tirelessly to reach a solution to the National problem and at the same time make a concrete contribution towards solving the day to day problems of our people, and strengthening our youth.

Your participation as a people does not end with your vote. You play an important role in providing me with direction and in strengthening our politics. 

Let us decide our destiny.