Unity as a Scientific Necessity: The Call for an Electoral Non-Competition Pact in Eelam Tamil Politics

President Nila
May 4
3 min read

Updated: May 5

1. The Foundational Purpose

The political security and future progress of the Eelam Tamil people must be safeguarded. In this critical period, especially during upcoming local government elections, a non-competition pact among Tamil political parties is not merely desirable—it is essential. The same logic must be extended to the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Only through this strategy can a unified and people-centred political movement be achieved.

2. The Role of the Four Key Tamil Parties

The four major Tamil political parties—

Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK)
All Ceylon Tamil Congress (Cycle Party)
Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA)
Tamil People's National Alliance for Justice (Deer symbol)

must set aside narrow political interests and act collectively in the interest of the people. Unity is not a sign of weakness—it is a political necessity rooted in responsibility and common purpose.

3. Pact Based on Electoral Strength

A constituency-wise strategic agreement should be formed. In each local council or parliamentary division, the party with the strongest support base should be allowed to field the candidate, while others step aside in good faith. This avoids vote splitting, prevents the dilution of community power, and ensures the democratic will of the Tamil people is fully realised.

4. Inclusion of Independent Candidates

In certain areas, independent candidates hold considerable sway. A robust strategy must integrate these figures into the unity framework, ensuring they are not isolated or left out. Building a broad-based alliance that includes local influencers and independent voices is key to sustainable representation.

5. The Dangers of Political Ego and Partisan Loyalty

The politics of "our party alone" or the isolationist mindset of "we, by ourselves" has repeatedly harmed the Tamil cause. Many candidates who relied solely on party prestige or personal ambition were defeated in the 2020 and 2024 parliamentary elections. These elections serve as reminders that egotism and division are luxuries the Tamil people cannot afford.

6. Intellectual Calls for Unity – And a Moment of Success

Over the past 16 years, Tamil intellectuals alone have persistently called for unity, even when political leaders remained passive. A rare breakthrough came during the Presidential Election, when both intellectuals and select party leaders jointly supported a Tamil candidate. This candidate secured over 226,000 votes, a victory symbolising the potential power of unity. It demonstrated that even partial collaboration can mobilise significant political force. However, such efforts have been sporadic, and long-term unity remains elusive.

7. Resistance to Scientific Strategy

Those who propose rational, evidence-based approaches are still dismissed by some political actors as “traitors” or “sell-outs.” Ironically, the advocates of unity have continued to speak openly and operate in the public domain, while many who rejected unity have retreated into silence or political irrelevance. The lesson here is clear: strategic thinking and truth-telling outlast shallow opportunism.

8. Disunity Leads to Decline

If unity is not achieved now, the Eelam Tamil people risk permanent marginalisation in the national political structure. Political fragmentation today will result in unrecoverable losses tomorrow. We are at a historical crossroads where collective inaction could pave the way for long-term political erasure.

9. Conclusion: Not a Temporary Fix, but a Structural Vision

A non-competition pact is not a short-term compromise—it is a scientific, principled, and strategic response to the political needs of our time. The goal is not power for a few, but dignified representation and collective upliftment for all Tamil people. By uniting electoral efforts, we lay the foundation for a stronger, rights-focused future.

Small Drops has advocated unity, human rights, and self-determination since 2020—through parliamentary awareness initiatives and grassroots education projects designed to uphold people’s rights. This article is part of that ongoing mission.

By Balananthini Balasubramaniam (Nila Bala)

(Disclaimer: Images are AI generated and are used for representational purposes only)

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