An eminent lawyer and a prominent figure in the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) holding the post of deputy secretary general of the party has been deprived not being nominated as MP from the national list by the leader of the party Rauff Hakeem.
According to SLMC party sources Nizam Kariapper’s name was in second place next to Hasan Ali in the preferential list of nomination of national MPs and it appears most of the party supporters including Nizam Kariapper are perturbed over his name being neglected in the appointment of national list MPs by the party.
It is said Nizam Kariapper an intelligent lawyer by profession has been playing a key role in the SLMC at times of disaster and was instrumental not only in building the party but also in persuading the party supporters and members to remain calm in periods of trouble within the party. He has been a member of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress party since its inception and was very active. He has been much involved in legal matters relating to the party and its supporters attending courts.
The exclusion of Nizam Kariapper from the national list MP has created confusion among the party supporters and they say Rauff Hakeem has intentionally done this in order to preserve his leadership in the party for ever. They also say Rauff Hakeem is in the habit of sidelining or eliminating people in the SLMC who are capable due fear of him being removed from the leadership and always keep with him people who he thinks incapable.
They cited the exclusion of former SSP Abdul Majeed from contesting the recently held general election from the Ampara district as example. They have also cited a number of intellectuals who have deserted the SLMC before as other example.
Nizam Kariapper who was with the SLMC founder leader M.H.M. Ashraff joined Mrs. Ferial Ashraff after his demise and later joined Rauff Hakeem when the SLMC party was in struggle due to the SLMC parliamentarians deserting the party. He has been a force behind Rauff Hakeem in relieving the burden put on to the SLMC leader.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010 20:36
