Colombo, May 27 – Explosive allegations surfaced yesterday as Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahman claimed that the National People’s Power (NPP) party is leveraging influential businessmen as intermediaries to offer financial inducements to elected members of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), in an effort to seize control of the council.
Speaking to Daily Mirror, MP Rahman stated that certain business figures aligned with the NPP have approached independent councillors with offers of cash in exchange for political support. “We are making this allegation with full responsibility,” he said, asserting that the ruling NPP is attempting to manipulate the balance of power within the CMC through unethical means.
The latest local government elections saw five independent groups secure representation in the CMC:
- Group 1 – 1 seat
- Group 2 – 1 seat
- Group 3 – 3 seats
- Group 4 – 2 seats
- Group 5 – 2 seats
Rahman confirmed that Independent Group 5, which holds two crucial seats, has already pledged support to the opposition bloc led by the SJB. This backing could prove pivotal in shaping the power dynamics within the council.
The MP’s accusations raise concerns over transparency and fairness in local governance, as the Colombo Municipal Council remains a politically significant institution. As of now, the NPP has not issued an official response to the allegations.
This latest development adds to growing political intrigue in the aftermath of the elections, where independent groups have emerged as kingmakers in many local bodies.
