Prominent Eastern Provincial Councilor Leaves SLMC To Join Rival ACMC

Former SLMC group leader in Eastern Provincial Council A. M. Jameel joined the All Ceylon Makkal Congress led by Rishad Bathiudeed and is expected to contest the general election under the Peacock symbol in Digamadulla District.
 
He is likely to sign nomination papers today, informed sources told Asian Mirror.
 
Jameel wrote a critical letter to SLMC leadership a few days ago, saying that he is frustrated, especially because a certain MP continues to block his development programmes in Kalmunai area.
 
SLMC announced yesterday that Jameel has been suspended from the party.
 
Jameel's defection is a significant blow for the SLMC, especially in Ampara District (Digamadulla Electoral District). He joins several other prominent SLMC members from the east who have joined ACMC recently. The ACMC, traditionally strong in the Wanni, has built up a strong support base in certain parts of the SLMC strongholds in the east.
 
The ACMC contests the general election under its symbol in Digamadulla and Wanni. Although the SLMC is still strong in its strongholds in Batticaloa, the ACMC has started 'eating up' its support base in Digamadulla.
 
The SLMC contests with the UNP in Digamadulla. The SLMC and the ACMC face a head-on contest only in Wanni District, where Rishad Bathiudeen remains a popular figure among the Muslim community.