Three strongman of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, including its leader Rauff Hakeem, have resigned from their parliamentary seats in order to contest the May 10th provincial council election in the east, the party`s Deputy Secretary Nizam Kariappar told `Lanka Dissent` a short while ago.

Mr. Hakeem, along with SLMC Chairman Basheer Segudawood and General Secretary Hassen Ali, sent their letters of resignations to Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara this afternoon (April 02nd), Mr. Kariappar said.

The SLMC is contesting the East PC polls together with the main opposition United National Party under the UNP`s `elephant` symbol.

This alliance has named Mr. Hakeem as their chief ministerial candidate for the east, and he will lead the campaign in the Trincomalee district.

Mr. Segudawood and Mr. Ali will be its leaders for Batticaloa and Ampara districts respectively.

District managers of the two parties are leaving for their areas later today, taking along with them the lists of nominations for each district, Mr. Kariappar said.

Meanwhile, the UNP chief organizer for the east A.M.M. Naushad will be appointed to fill the parliamentary seat of Mr. Hakeem, according to UNP sources.

Both Mr. Segudawood and Mr. Ali are National List MPs.