Mr. Hisbullah says his objection is not against the TMVP leader

MLAM Hisbullah told BBC Sandeshaya that he and two other Muslim members will not support the ruling United Peoples freedom Alliance (UPFA).

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the government has decided to appoint Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan as the CM for the eastern province.

President 'deceived' Muslims

Mr. Hisbullah accused the president and the government of ‘deceiving’ the whole Muslim community in the east.

“The president and the government deceived not only me but also the whole Muslim community and the 12 Muslim ministers,” he told BBCSinhala.com.

We would like to draw your kind attention to the fact that UPFA does not command the majority in the council without us, consequently no nominee of the UPFA other than Mr.M.L.A.M. Hisbullah would enjoy the confidence of the majority of the council Three Muslim coucillors' letter to the governor

In a letter sent to governor of the eastern province, Mr. Hisbullah said himself and councillors Jawahir Salih and MS Subair will function as a separate group in the provincial council.

“We would like to note that we have not given our consent to the UPFA to appoint any nominee other than Mr.M.L.A.M Hisbullah as chief Minister and therefore would like to draw your kind attention to the fact that UPFA does not command the majority in the council without us, consequently no nominee of the UPFA other than Mr.M.L.A.M. Hisbullah would enjoy the confidence of the majority of the council,” the letter stated.

Talks with SLMC

As a result, Mr. Hisbullah told BBC Sandeshaya, that the ruling UPFA’s appointing Pillayan as CM is illegal as the ruling party does not command a majority in the Provincial Council (PC).

	Mr. Hisbullah says his group might hold talks with the SLMC councillors

The ruling UPFA secured 20 councillors while the main opposition, United National Party (UNP) won 15 seats.

Tamil Democratic National Alliance (TDNA) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) won one councillor each in the 37-member PC.

The separate Muslim group will hold talks with other Muslim members of the PC regarding the situation, Mr. Hisbullah said.

The group is considering whether to held talks with the opposition including Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, he added.

Pillayan appointed CM

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed the leader of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) as the Chief Minister of the eastern province.

TMVP leader Pillayan took oaths before the president as the first ever CM of the eastern province on Friday

Pillayan took oaths before the president on Friday evening in Colombo.

The TMVP leader and regional Muslim leader, MLAM Hisbullah, both claimed eligibility to be appointed CM after the polls on 10 May.

UPFA General Secreatary, Minister Susil Premjayanth, told journalists last week that the community leader that gain most of the members would be appointed as the CM.