Ex-assemblyman Arumugam stood and won as independent candidate, and later joined PKR. Thus, it was logical for PKR to hint that they will put up a candidate in the coming by-election in Bukit Selambau.

Immediately after that, PKR member Kalaivanar (age 45) who contested and lost in Gurun state seat during last general elections voiced his intentions. He claimed that his candidature interest was moved by strong grassroot support shown to him by PKR members in Kedah, especially the party’s Indian leaders and members. The Jerai PKR division head says:

“The party must field a grassroots leader who can deliver and remain loyal to PKR. I believe I fit the bill,”

The guy was also upset that he was not given senator post by PKR.

“It was an Indian quota senatorship and I should have been given a chance to serve in the capacity after losing in Gurun.

“Until today, no Indian from Kedah has been appointed to a position,” lamented the Ipoh-born social activist, who recently launched nationwide anti-samsu, anti-gangsterism and community integration campaigns.

Kalaivanar seems to be going all out to be nominated as a candidate:

… Kalaivanar is determined to wrest the seat and has already sent his agents to meet PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim to lobby for him.

“My supporters have lobbied for me with PKR leadership on the grounds that I am a loyal PKR grassroots leader,” he said.

However, if he was not selected, Kalaivanar feels a grassroots leader who would be a dedicated field worker and not a party hopper, should be chosen.

“Under the current political climate and after what had happened in Perak, these are the main criteria to choose a candidate,” he said.

HINDRAF, it seems, are not keen on Kalaivanar. It is learnt that Hindraf self-exiled chairperson P Waythamoorthy and local Hindraf leaders have spoken to PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to field Hindraf national coordinator RS Thanenthiran, 45, on a PKR ticket.

Penang Hindraf deputy coordinator Sanjeeviramah Subramaniam confirmed that the movement is keen for Thanenthiran, a former teacher, to contest.

Sanjeeviramah said Hindraf should be rewarded for its aggressive campaign on behalf of Pakatan’s election campaign last year.

Thanenthiran, he said, has a sincere and honest desire to serve the people, will remain loyal to the cause and can be accepted by all communities and parties.

Since Anwar has said that PKR will field an Indian candidate, Thanenthiran would be an ideal choice, more so with the whole Hindraf machinery in Kedah to ensure his victory.

“A representation of Hindraf would be a genuine representation for the Indian Malaysian community,” said Saneeviramah.

Hindraf has originally decided that it did not want to be involved in active politics. However since the movement was outlawed last October, it leaders have changed their mind.

I think HINDRAF should not put up its people to be candidates any more. To remain as a pressure group or civil rights group, it should not be seen as aligned to any political camps. Now, HINDRAF is against UMNO. What if later, PKR turns into an “UMNO”? HINDRAF will be forced to go against PKR. At that point, people like Gobalakrishnan, Mike Manikavasagam and Thanenthiran must resign from post and party. Would they do that?

Not enough with two potential candidates? Well DAP and PAS also have their eyes on the seat!

Kedah DAP organising secretary Teoh Teik Guan confirmed speculation that the party is interested in contesting the seat as it had fielded candidates there prior to the arrangement last year with Pakatan.

“It was DAP’s seat before 2008. So we desire to re-contest the seat,” he told Malaysiakini, saying the Kedah DAP will hold a meeting later to decide on this.

The state DAP leadership, he said, has already conveyed its intention to identify a “credible candidate” but will leave it to party leaders to make a final decision in discussion with their counterparts in Pakatan.

Among the potential candidates is DAP life-member S Neelamekan, 49, who was born in Penang.

Now the Lunas branch chief, he had contested and lost the Prai state seat in Penang against Barisan Nasional (BN) incumbent Dr K Rajapathy in 1999. In 2000, he was among those considered for the Lunas by-election under the DAP ticket.

As for PAS:

PAS, it is learnt, is also keen to contest the seat by fielding a candidate of Indian origin – lawyer Jegadeeson Thavasu who is based in Sungei Petani.

A member of the PAS non-Muslim club in Kedah, he had actively campaigned for the party and Pakatan candidates in the last general election.

He is seen by local PAS leaders as a candidate who will be able to get the support of all ethnic groups.

This will be the second Indian fielded by PAS, after Kumutha in Tiram state seat.

Kalaivanar, Thanenthiran, Neelamekan or Jegadeeson?