Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga may enter politics if Mahinda Rajapaksa is appointed as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the SLFP, Kumaratunga's Secretary P. Dissanayake told media today.

 

This announcement came merely a day after Kumaratunga made a statement, indicating that she has no intention of seeking power.

 

However, Dissanayake said that if Rajapaksa is nominated as Prime Ministerial candidate, Kumaratunga has even bigger claim to the position. Unlike Rajapaksa, Kumaratunga is not a defeated candidate, he said.

 

Meanwhile, informed sources told Asian Mirror that Kumaratunga has no desire of seeking political office. Her claim will be made only to negate the claim by Rajapaksa camp, a close associate told Asian Mirror.

 

A number of SLFPers who supported Maithripala Sirisena during the Presidential Election are worried that Rajapaksa would take revenge if he returns to politics as the Prime Minister of a future government. Furthermore, his nomination as candidate for Prime Minister would negate the principles President Sirisena stand for.

 

Over 30 MPs and other prominent members of the SLFP have expressed their willingness to break-off if Sirisena gives nominations for Rajapaksa.