Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Mano Ganesan today hit out at former President Mahinda Rajapaksa saying that the latter misled the public about the proposed new constitution to grab power. 

"He grabbed power to stop new federal constitution from coming in. On the contrary, there is no constitution, not even a draft. There is only an interim report with all opinions including those of SLPP members in the constitution-making steering committee," Ganesan said, in a tweet. 

"It is too afte3-year deliberations. As a member of the steering committee, I can say, a new constitution is far away let alone federalism! Even if it is coming it has to pass through the two-third test in the house and a nationwide referendum. What a phony reason to grab power!" 

Rajapaksa, in several statements after he was appointed the Prime Minister, said he took up the position to prevent the country from sliding into a federal state.