by Malinda Seneviratne
The "left" parties that help make up the hodge-podge called the People’s Alliance, had a rally. Now the old faithfuls of Comrade Marx gathering for anything, be it to discuss politics, to have tea or call each other "running dogs of imperialism" is something to be celebrated, given the woeful state of that particular configeration of spent forces. This time they are taking on something quite ambitious. According to them, they are adding their mite to defeat the UNP conspiracy. Sorry, that should have been "might" as per a tiny notice in the Daily News advertising their "rally" (they like using big words for their often miniscule chit chats) at the New Town Hall, Greenpath: "Our might to defeat the UNP conspiracy".

Marxists have a fascination with conspiracies. "It is always because of this or that conspiracy that the Left failed to do this or that," would be an appropriate sum up of their core political theory. Even the new pretenders, the JVP, are trapped in the same kind of language. I remember a lengthy poster once appearing in Dumbara Campus where there was talk about several conspiracies. They gave us a "Thonda-Ranil kumanthranaya," a "JR-Premadasa kumanthranaya" and a couple of others involving Gamini Dissanayake, Cyril Matthew, and Lalith Athulathmudali if I remember right. This was before the days of the United Socialist Alliance, or else we might have also had some kumanthranayas involving Vijaya Kumaranatunge. I almost forgot Chandrika Kumaratunge. She was at that time in the political wilderness, so she probably didn’t merit mention in the JVP wish-list.

So this business of a UNP conspiracy is not something that would make waves. Not that anything that these has-been leftists who are born-again defenders of the market economy can produce anything larger than tiny ripples. What is strange is that the Left elements in the PA are doing little else than parroting the views of their masters and mistresses in the government. The entire PA leadership now talks about a UNP conspiracy. Since "conspiracy" is the word in the street, I think it is worthwhile talking about it.

Is the LSSP and the CP of the view that the PA is any different to the UNP when it comes to embracing capitalism and subsidising multinational capital? The only difference, as far as I can see, is that the UNP did a less shoddy job of screwing our lives. How can Batty Weerakoon and Indika Gunawardena who have consented to the selling off of our national assets for a song, who have sat and watched our resources being offered on a platter to the first scoundral that comes along, and who have shamelessly defended an illegal government, point their finger at the UNP, or anyone else for that matter?

"Conspiracy" is by definition a shady word, easy to hide behind and fire at random. The PA has not engaged in anything of the sort when it comes to usurping the will of the people. As several editorials in the Island have pointed out in recent times, this government has unabashedly kicked all principles of democracy in dealing with the current political crisis in parliament. They openly rigged the last parliamentary election and despite all the thuggery and behind-the-scene moves, have failed to hold on to their parliamentary majority. The Left is acutely aware that their future would be nothing less than toilet-wash should the PA be evicted.

The Left, of course, is small fry. In contrast, the President would be no smaller than a shark. In a barbaric act that puts to shame any draconian measure employed in the name of democracy anywhere in the world, she prorogued parliament and to rub salt in the bleeding wounds of the body politic, wants the people to give her permission to bring "a" new constitution. A dictator, the good lady ought to know, does not need the permission of the people to mess with their lives. And this is the regime that the Left believes the UNP is conspiring against.

Let’s get back to this "A new constitution" business. The President’s recent address to the nation on TV was the most revealing of her vile intent. She freely moves between the terms "A new constitution" and "THE new constitution". What she means is that IF the people do want a new constitution (and I am sure no one would give certificates of excellence to the current constitution, meaning that a new one is clearly desired) she will go ahead as use it as a licence to impose THE New Constitution, i.e. the one which she and her fellow partners in the PA tried to squeeze through a year ago. I will bet all the small change I have in my pocket that she will with a swift stroke of her executive pen cross off the last letter in "Vyavasthavak" and try to smuggle through with legislative writ that which Prabhakaran couldn’t win through terrorism, i.e. the notorious Vyavasthava of August 2000.

The President has "prorogued" parliament. Nice. Appropriate. For the PA has been pro-rogues for 7 years now. She now complains about the problems of "JR’s constitution". As was pointed out in another editorial in the Island, what made her wait 7 long years to abolish the executive presidency? She cries "foul" now! Surprise, surprise! Why the dickens did she have to wait until her government, went under because Rauff Hakeem kept asking for more?

People ask , "what’s happening?" referring to this Pro-Rogue ruling. Some people ask "What will happen?" demanding a slice of the future. There are things that decent people can do. If there is such a thing called a "civil society" in this country, it is high time it showed its face. All responsible citizens should stand up and be counted, one way or another.