SLMC has formed an alliance with the UNP

Three key leaders of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress including the party president Rauf Hakeem have resigned from their parliamentary seats.

In a statement issued on Wednesday they said that they were resigning their parliamentary seats with immediate effect to offer a strong challenge in the Eastern Provincial Council elections.

SLMC spokesman Nizam Kariyappar told media, Rauf Hakeem, the president of the party, Basheer Segu Dawood, the chairman and Hasan Ali, the general secretary have decided to contest the eastern provincial council election.

Resignation handed in

The speaker of parliament, W.J.M. Lokubandara confirmed to the BBC Sinhala Service that the MPs had already tenderd their resignation letters.

The SLMC is to contest Eastern Provincial Council election in alliance with the main opposition United National Party (UNP) under the UNP election symbol "Elephant".

Nizam Kariyappar says that, Rauf Hakeem will be the chief candidate for the Trincomalee district, Basheer Segu Dawood chief candidate for the Batticaloa district and Hasan Ali ,chief candidate for the Ampara district.

Political trap

SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem told Sandeshaya that they wanted to show protest to the government's attempt to undermine democratic rights of the people in the east with the help of armed groups.

He said SLMC Batticaloa organiser, MLAM Hisbullah had crossed over to the government after failing his undertaking to persuade SLMC to contest with the government.

"In reality, Hisbullah tried to create a division among Muslim leaders but failed", he said.

After crossing over, Hisbulla told BBC Sandeshaya that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has given as assurance that he will be made the chief minister of the eastern province if he "wins with a majority of Muslim members".

SLMC leader said that General Secretary of the party, Hassan Ali is tipped to be the Chief Minister's position claiming that it was not their only aim.

"Government riding on the back of armed groups is trying to win the election in the east, thereby to claim that it is a victory for democracy. It wants to tell the international community that democracy is established in the east", SLMC leader said