A group loyal to Mahinda Rajapaksa in the SLPP have devised a plan to elevate him (Mahinda) to the premiership once again before the annual Budget for 2023.
The annual budget is scheduled to be held on the 14th of November.
In the past, the same group has acted in an awkward manner, putting numerous demands on the President. They have also issued threats to force him to act according to their whims and fancies.
According to informed political sources, this group has told the President they would defeat the 22nd amendment if the President failed to appoint the Cabinet that included their nominations. Once again the same group has warned the President a few days ago that the budget would be defeated if he failed to appoint their nominees to the Cabinet.
As the President gave them a hearing, he also gave them an earful and told them to defeat the Budget, saying it was they who stood to lose.
The latest tantrum of the group appears to be that unless Mahinda Rajapaksa is appointed Prime Minister the government would be defeated at the Budget.
This group has discussed the matter with the current Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene who has in turn agreed to step down to pave the way for Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Reports indicate that this group is continuously campaigning within the SLPP with the motive of making Mahinda Rajapaksa Prime Minister before the budget vote.
However, insiders say that Basil Rajapaksa has steered clear of this and that the pro-Basil group has not committed its support to the endeavour.
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