‘No one up to Gandhi’s mark’

What has Nalla done for Indians, asks former aide

Malaysian Indian United Party president KS Nallakaruppan has come under fire from his former right-hand man over his protracted attacks against PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Former MIUP vice-president P O Krishnasamy said attacking Anwar appears to be Nallakaruppan’s raison d’etre and not the betterment of the Indian community.

Krishnasamy , who has since rejoined PKR, challenged Nallakaruppan to instead explain what MIUP has done for the Indian community since its inception and to reveal its future plans.

“Where was Nalla when the cow-head issue was humiliating the Indians?” asked Krishnasamy in a statement today.

Krishnasamy was responding to Nallakaruppan’s recent interview with Tamil Nesan on Monday where he was quoted as saying that Anwar hoodwinked the Indian community.

Nallakaruppan then said that Anwar was emulating Gandhi but adds that he was not even worth the dust on Gandhi’s feet.

Krishnasamy claimed that Nallakaruppan not only failed to contribute to the Indian community, he had also failed to draw up the MIUP’s party constitution since the party was established in 2007.

‘No one up to Gandhi’s mark’

Similarly, PKR supreme council member S Manikavasagam urged Nallakaruppan not to pursue personal attacks on Anwar and concentrate on uplifting the welfare of the Indian community.

“He is now with Barisan Nasional and has connections. Many Indians are still without birth certificates and identity cards. He can use his links to help resolve them.

“There is no need to resort to personal attacks. He can help instead of just talk. We don’t need another (MIC president S) Samy Vellu. Be sincere because that is what the grassroots want,” said Manikavasagam, who is also Kapar MP.

Manikavasagam also took the MIC-owned Tamil Nesan for allowing Gandhi to be used as a political issue.

“I’m disappointed with the paper. Nobody is up to the Gandhi’s mark, including Samy Vellu,” said Manikavasagam during a press conference in Klang today.

Bagan Pinang

In another development, Manikavasagam said he would be urging Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders and followers to support the PAS candidate during the upcoming Bagan Pinang by-election.

He also pledged to be based in the constituency throughout the campaign period to ensure PAS snags the majority of the sizeable Indian votes come voting day on Oct 11.

“The Indian voters forms almost 20 percent of the voters. We have to campaign hard to ensure they support the PAS and Pakatan Rakyat candidate,” he said.

He adds that he would be aided by other MPs and local councillors from across the country in door-to-door campaigns, leafleting and distributing of VCDs.

Asked on his thoughts about the outcome of the MIC party elections, Manikavasagam sarcastically congratulated the party and Samy Vellu.

“As long as Samy is in MIC, it is good for us. We are okay even if he become MIC president for life,” said the staunch MIC critic.

Nalla responses to detractors

Nallakaruppan later responded to the criticisms levelled against him by stating that Krishnasamy was “not exactly telling the truth on several issues pertaining to his own involvement in MIUP”.

Maybe he is trying to show that he is loyal to Anwar and PKR but the truth is something totally different. I am sure the PKR leaders are not foolish to simply believe him on whatever he says,” he told Malaysiakini.

He also said that his party had been “working on the grassroots level without making any fuss”.

“We are not like Anwar who claims that he can do this and that but end up with nothing at the end,” he added.

He also said that his party was doing “much better now after Krishnasamy left us”.

“Let him make whatever accusations he wants to. He is someone who wants to impress his party bosses with his new found loyalty but I am sure everyone knows what sort of person he is,” he added.

source: Malaysiakini