Leading the defection was People's Progressive Party (PPP) vice-president V Nagarajan, along with 11 of the party's divisions in the state.
The defections, which involved 62 branches in the state, meant that PPP lost almost its entire membership in Kedah, where a crucial by-election will be held in three days.
Nagarajan (left) has tonight submitted membership forms for 300 ex-PPP members.
He promised that a total of 6,000 would be jumping ship from the Barisan Nasional component party to PKR after April 7 by-election.
PPP leader M Kayveas, in an immediate reaction, labelled the defectors as "disgruntled members".
And as for Anwar's 'big announcement' which was said to have a "direct or indirect bearing" on Najib Abdul Razak becoming the prime minister, the consummate PKR leader said that it would have to wait until after Tuesday's by-election.
"The timing is not right now. It could be dangerous," he said in his ceramah at Dewan Hock Teik Soo, Sungai Petani, which is part of the Bukit Selambau state constituency.
He however did not elaborate on the matter.
Yesterday, PKR elections strategist Saifuddin Nasution had raised expectation among opposition supporters when he stated that Anwar would be making a "big announcement" tonight.
Anwar's ceramah late this evening saw a crowd of about 5,000 people. The hall was so packed that people had to stand outside to listen to Anwar and other PKR speakers.
Huge screens were erected to enable the crowd to follow the speeches.
Anwar has spent a full day today in Bukit Selambau, making whistle stops in as many places as he can to canvass for votes for PKR candidate, S Manikumar.
Unhappy with BN policies
Meanwhile, Nagarajan said that the 300 was just the first batch of PPP defectors and promised that more would join PKR after the by-election.
He told the crowd that he was unhappy with the policies of BN government and time had come for PPP members to leave the ruling coalition.
Moreover, he said that should MIC's S Ganesan win the by-election in Bukit Selambau, long-time party president S Samy Vellu would demand a senator's post from the new premier.
"Enough is enough... we learnt our lesson and we can no longer wait," said Nagarajan.
Speaking to reporters after the ceramah, Nagarajan said that PPP had 1,800 registered voters in Bukit Selambau whom he said would now back Manikumar.
When asked why he had waited until tonight to hop to PKR, Nagarajan said, "We felt this is the time."
Nagarajan, who joined PPP in 1998, also revealed that he had spoken to party boss Kayveas, and although he was asked to stay on in PPP, he declined.
"We were the opposition within the government, and some used to say that I was a DAP man in Barisan," said the outspoken leader.
PKR vice-president R Sivarasa said the mass defection of the PPP members reflected the disintegration within BN just a day after Najib took over as prime minister.
Uncaring Umno still dreaming
Meanwhile, Anwar lambasted Umno leaders for not caring about grinding poverty in many parts of the country.
"If they say there is no poverty in Malaysia, they are dreaming," he told the mixed-race crowd of thousands.
He said that PKR, unlike Umno, had a policy of being fair to all races.
Anwar argued that he was not a traitor to the Malay Malaysians for championing the cause of Indians and Chinese.
The PKR leader added that Pakatan Rakyat would protect Hindu temples and vernacular schools when they come to power.
He also told the crowd that Manikumar (photo) ought to be given a chance to prove himself as leader for the Indian community.
Also present in the ceramah were some key Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf) leaders, a clear indication that whatever rift that appeared between the movement and PKR had been resolved.
Anwar will be in Bukit Gantang tomorrow and be back in Bukit Selambau on Monday. Polling is on Tuesday.
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