By B.Suresh Ram
Tan Sri M. G. Pandithan’s dream of the All-Malaysia Indian Progressive Front (IPF), which he founded, joining the Barisan Nasional may remain just that.
The Makkal Sakthi movement headed S.Theninthran, a former leader of the Hindu Rights Movement (Hindraf), appears poised to join the Barisan Nasional or at worst be a friend of the coalition.
With the MIC’s fortunes on the decline after its dismal performance in the March 8 general election last year and with its president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu fighting “battles“ on several fronts, Makkal Sakthi could be the party to watch as the representative of the community.
That it has made no overtures to join the Pakatan Rakyat and the substancial support it enjoys in the community enhances its chances of enjoying the BN’s support.
The IPF has another competitor in the Malaysian Human Rights party headed by P. Uthayakumar, a colourful grassroots politician and lawyer who has his own following within the community.
His brushes with the law and dramatic efforts to highlight the cause of poor Indians caught the attention of the public and the law which saw him being detained under the Internal Security Act.
He has toned down the rhetoric after his release, seeking a more middle of the road path in efforts to represent the community.
With Makkal Sakthi poised to take off, there is a feeling in political circles that some disgruntled IPF members may switch allegiance to the new party.
There are also the challenges the party is facing from within in putting its house in order.
An ongoing internal fight has seen the party fractured along four fault lines.
The main faction is headed by Jayashree with the others led by Pandithan loyalists who broke ranks with Jayashree.
IPF Baru is headed by M. Panjamurthi, a third faction headed by former deputy president V. Senggutuan, and the last faction headed by another former vice-president, V. Mathialagan.
The one thing, however, that is still working in favour of the IPF is that it has a better relationship with the MIC than its competitors.
This follow the rapproachment between Pandithan and MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu in 2007 after 20 years of estrangement.
Clearly, the IPF which caters to a mostly lower-income membership, is facing some of its toughest times.
For most of its existence, it has ridden on the shoulders of the charismatic Pandithan who could keep an audience spellbound for hours with his oratory skills.
IPF was founded in 1989 after Samy Vellu sacked Pan dithan who was a MIC vice-president for alleged indiscipline.
On its establishment, the IPF supported Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s, Gagasan Rakyat, coalition in the 1990 general election.
Following the breaking up of the Gagasan, the IPG shifted its allegiance to the BN.
Despite the hard work over the years in supporting BN candidates in general elections and by-elections, it failed to gain entry into the BN.
It would have been unthinkable when Pandithan was at the helm but at the party annual general meeting last Sept 27, several members said the time had come for the IPF to review its position as far as the BN was concerned.
This was because they had become disillusioned with the failure to gain membership in the BN.
As for the larger-than-life Pandithan, his memory will be preserved for posterity with the renaming of Jalan Berhala as Jalan M.G. Pandithan.
The IPF, however, may be on the road to becoming a faint memory in the minds of Indians.
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