A vote for BN is a vote for blueprint, says Hindraf

Hindraf leaders at its third national convention on Sunday called on its members to support the ruling coalition, resolving that “a vote for the BN is really a vote for the blueprint”.

During the event, Hindraf national adviser N Ganesan blamed critics of the new pact with BN as trying to divert from the “true significance” of the event, and urged his members to “stop Pakatan from getting anywhere near Putrajaya”.

According to Hindraf’s statement, its chairperson P Waythamoorthy reminded that Hindraf’s activities were not meant to support any party’s election chances.

“We did not do it to make any individual a prime minister or a deputy  prime minister or to make any particular political party go to Putrajaya or to the state assemblies.

“We are an organisation committed to promoting and protecting the interests and rights of our members only,” Waythamoorthy was quoted saying.

However Hindraf vice-chair W Sambulingam contradicted his chief in urging Hindraf members to work hard to keep BN in power.

“You and all the people in your districts are voting for the future of your children. That future is here at hand.

“We have just to get BN re-elected to realise the new deal promised in the blueprint,” he was reported as saying.
On April 18 BN chief Najib Razak agreed on Hindraf’s MOU to address four out of its six areas of concern that was original contained in their blueprint.

Hindraf had attempted to get Pakatan Rakyat to endorse its blueprint in full, complaining that the opposition was not doing enough to help the community.
Its members were upset when DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang DAP unveiled a 14-point ‘Gelang Patah Declaration' aimed at alleviating the socio-economic status of the Indians, accusing Lim of “plagiarising” their blueprint.

Exclusive rights to Hindraf name
Yet apart from the new deal with Najib not being the blueprint per se but a MOU that has left out two key Hindraf issues, racism and death in custody, the full details of the deal have also not been made public.

Among those shocked at the sudden about turn from calling BN “long gone” and denying that a pact with BN was in the cards, was Waythamoorthy’s brother and Hindraf founder P Uthayakumar, now head of the splinter group Human Rights Party.
Uthayakumar (right) scorned his brother's move saying the latter was aiming to be the "next Samy Vellu", former MIC chief.
Waythamoorthy slammed his critics, saying, “Selfish politicians are instigating Hindraf members to continue in a warlike mode.”

Claiming exclusivity for the Hindraf brand name, he warned other Hindraf splinter leaders, “They do not belong to Hindraf any more. They do not represent Hindraf.

“They will be committing a criminal act if they pose as representatives of Hindraf.

“Hindraf is a legally instituted organisation now, and not an informal grouping any more.
"If they say they represent Hindraf, and they really do not, they are committing a criminal act and Hindraf will take action on them,” said Waythamoorthy.