Political and diplomatic observers are watching with keen interest the latest developments after the TNA has decided to support the former Army Chief Sarath Fonseka. Since both Mr Rajapaksa and Fonseka represent the majority Sinhalese community and are credited for the successful military campaign against the LTTE, the vote of Tamils and Muslims could prove to be a deciding factor in the outcome of the Presidential election. Therein lays the significance of the TNA’s decision to join hands with the rest of the opposition in their bid to oust Mr Rajapaksa.<br/><br/>Hours after the post-Prabhakaran Tamil National Alliance (TNA) formally announced its decision to back the candidature of Fonseka; a senior Minister in the Rajapaksa Government took exception to what he termed as secret pact between the two and maintained that it was against the national interest.<br/><br/>Speaking at a press conference, TNA leader R. Sampanthan said that his party could not support Mr. Rajapaksa in the light of his ‘past performance’ and called upon the Tamil community to vote in favour of the former Army Chief.<br/><br/>Mr Sampanthan told reporters that Fonseka understands the need for a political solution to the thirty year old ethnic conflict and they have no issues with the military background of Sarath Fonseka. The retired General is scheduled to be release the much awaited election manifesto on Thursday.