Smruti S. Pattanaik

After months of negotiation and show of strength, former President Mahinda Rajapakse was finally given a ticket to contest by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) which is part of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), a conglomerate of around sixteen parties.

THE astounding victory of Aam Aadmi Party in the Delhi Assembly election has again brought to focus the importance of regional parties and their ability to focus on local issues.