IPF slighted by senatorship snub

Despite being shunted, its president says party will remain loyal to the Umno-BN administration under Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: The Indian Progressive Front (IPF) is still comfortable with the administration of Najib Tun Razak despite being overlooked for a senatorship, said its president M Sambanthan.

“We have gone through 20 years of hardship and struggle and I want the party to remain strong,” he said after declining an invitation from PKR leader S Manikavasagam to join Pakatan Rakyat.

Manikavasagam had said it was time for IPF to leave the BN coalition in light of a senatorship being given to a relatively new kid on the block – the Malaysian Indian United Party’s (MIUP) KS Nallakaruppan.

Nallakaruppan was appointed a senator in Dewan Negara yesterday.

While many IPF members are unhappy with BN’s decision to give priority to MIUP, Sambanthan chose to be guarded and stoic in his response to Nallakaruppan’s appointment.

“What can I say? IPF was not lucky this time. I congratulate Nallakaruppan. I hope he will cater to the Indian community’s pressing concerns,” was all the IPF president ventured to say.

IPF is an Indian based party that was formed in 1990 by the late MG Pandithan after he was expelled by MIC’s former president S Samy Vellu for criticising the party’s leadership.

In the 1990 general election, IPF threw its support behind opposition coalition Gagasan Rakyat but later had a change heart and pledged its loyalty to BN.

But IPF’s attempt to become part of the BN coalition has been consistently blocked by MIC.

Meanwhile, Sambanthan also kept silent about rumours that IPF will contest in at least one state seat, either in Selangor or Perak, in the next general election.

According to a party insider, IPF is eyeing the Semenyih state seat in Selangor and Hulu Kinta assembly seat in Perak.

However, he could not confirm if the party president had officially made his intentions known to Najib who is also BN chairman.

When asked, Sambanthan said: “The BN top leadership had not discussed the seats with us. But, we will happy if Najib lets us contest in any seat.”