The Tamil National Alliance MP Seenithambi Yogeswaran said that his party will announce by the end of the month which one of the two presidential candidates it will support.

Speaking during a conference in India on Saturday, Yogeswaran said the TNA did not want to influence the outcome of the elections by backing a candidate pre-maturely and that the party would wait for both ‘anti-Tamil’ candidates, incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa and his challenger Maithripala Sirisena, to release their manifestos, The Hindu reported.

The MP said the TNA will not boycott the election.

“We will take part in the democratic process and exercise our democratic right,” he said.

“As of now, Mr. Sirisena’s prospects look bright.”

Meanwhile the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), the largest constituent party of the TNA, said its members are “keen” to exercise their franchise and vote at the elections.

Speaking to reporters after a party meeting, ITAK leader Maavai Senathirajah said they have not yet decided whether to support Rajapaksa or Sirisena.

Senathirajah said several members of the party stressed that Tamils should be urged to vote and not boycott the polls.

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