Malay Indian party IPF fighting for its survival

Kuala Lumpur, July 28 : Two months after the death of Indian Progressive Front (IPF) president M.G. Pandithan, the party is fighting for its survival.

Thousands are believed to have left the party while others want transparency and are calling for elections for a new president and not to give the post on a platter to Pandithan's widow.

Party's former secretary-general, K. Panjamurti, who now leads IPF Bersatu, said P Jayashree's leadership was weakening IPF. The NST Online reported.

"She is from India and with no experience. For the party's solidarity, Pandithan, in his dying days, should have rallied round party veterans, including those outside the party, to take over," Panjamurti said.

He said members were unhappy with the appointment of Jayashree as acting president.

"By appointing her, it shows the late Pandithan's self-interest in safeguarding the RM3 million building housing the party headquarters."

Panjamurti felt that the only way out for IPF was to reunite the 380,000 members and former members under one roof.

Panjamurti, who claimed to have 200,000 former IPF members in his party, said: "The members want the two factions within the party to rejoin to restore their confidence in the party's struggle. IPF Bersatu extended its hand of friendship to IPF but the acting president did not respond."

IPF deputy president V. Senggutuan agreed that several hundred had left the party but could not say what the exact number was. He said some had joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Pas and DAP.

ANI