BJP cannot form govt in Sri Lanka, confirms country's election commission

GUWAHATI: After Tripura chief minister Biplab Deb's claims that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wishes to expand its influence to neighbouring countries, Sri Lanka's Election Commission has asserted that the BJP cannot form a government in the country as it's electoral law does not permit such an arrangement.

CM Deb during a party meeting at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan said that Amit Shah had revealed that BJP wanted to form governments in neighbouring countries after winning elections in all states in the Indian subcontinent.

The chairman of Sri Lanka's Election Commission Nimal Punchihewa, however, said that such an arrangement is not possible under the country's existing laws.

“Any Sri Lankan political party or group is permitted to have external links with any party or group overseas. But our electoral laws do not permit overseas political parties to work here,” Nimal Punchihewa has been quoted as saying.

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Recently, Deb stated that the BJP would expand its wings in other regional countries as part of its ''Atmanirbhar South Asia'' initiative.

It may be mentioned here that last year Basil Rajapaksa, President Gotabhaya's brother, had said he envisioned modelling the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna either on the lines of the BJP or the Communist Party of China.

Deb during the meeting had also said that BJP will also form its government in Kerela, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.