Pandithan’s widow did hold the press conference as told earlier. Surprisingly, she said that:

I was elected as party president earlier this year by the party’s supreme council.

I thought there was supposed to be an AGM to confirm her position, but Jayashree said the general assembly will be held later.

Whatever. Anyway, Puan Sri Jayashree says that she’s in full control of the party. In her visit to several states, the party’s 380,000 members had pledged their loyalty and support to the leadership.

I’m determined to carry on focusing on eradicating poverty, solving welfare and health issues and creating an educated Indian society.

She blames it on IPF Bersatu, a splinter party which it seems is not officially registered. That’s why there’s a one million ringgit suit on the group.

She said a splinter group which had left the party years ago had been attacking her leadership to tarnish the name and image of the party. “This group, claiming to be leaders of IPF Bersatu, has been campaigning against us nationwide, saying it is the actual and legitimate IPF. “They have been deceiving the people and confusing everyone by using our party’s name, flag, letterhead and registration number.”

She said IPF’s checks with the Registrar of Societies showed that IPF Bersatu was never registered as a party or society and the group had been functioning under IPF’s name claiming to be its promoters.

“This is a theft involving the party’s name and symbols and neither Pandithan nor I have appointed anyone to be our promoters.”

She said the group’s activities had started before Pandithan died, adding that when he fell sick the group started tarnishing his name.

“Although Pandithan was upset, he did not want to take action against them as they were former party members and had taken part in the party’s struggle in the early days.

“But it is unfortunate that they continue to damage our name and reputation even after Pandithan’s death, giving us no option but to take legal action.”

IPF has filed a RM1 million suit against IPF Bersatu for using its name, logo and registration number.

IPF Bersatu is headed by former IPF secretary-general K. Panjamurti.

As for IPF’s future plan, it is still yearning to join BN and has asked to meet PM in September.

after the death of Pandithan, IPF have been very quiet given that it has split into to two, which I think is not good. There was supposed to be an announcement on long term plans, but nothing so far. Calls for AGM are not heeded.

IPF Bersatu, headed by former secretary general says the party is weakening due to leadership given to Pandithan’s wife.

“She is from India and with no experience. For the party’s solidarity, Pandithan, in his dying days, should have rallied round party veterans, including those outside the party, to take over.”

He said members were unhappy with the appointment of Jayashree as acting president.
“By appointing her, it shows the late Pandithan’s self-interest in safeguarding the RM3 million building housing the party headquarters.”

He felt that the only way out for IPF was to reunite the 380,000 members and former members under one roof.

Panjamurti, who claimed to have 200,000 former IPF members in his party, said: “The members want the two factions within the party to rejoin to restore their confidence in the party’s struggle.

“IPF Bersatu extended its hand of friendship to IPF but the acting president did not respond.”

He feared that the delay might weaken the party..

Meanwhile, IPF deputy president V. Senggutuan agreed that several hundred had left the party but could not say what the exact number was. He said some had joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Pas and DAP.

“I am now visiting various states to register members and give them motivational talks,” he said, adding that most of them were hardcore party supporters.

He said the only way to strengthen the party was to become a member of the Barisan Nasional.

“This will give us some focus. It will also give confidence to our members, who are mostly poor Indian families still mourning Pandithan’s death.”

IPF vice-president N. Sargunan said the party’s struggle was still relevant, having survived for the past 20 years without power or media support. He hopes IPF can join BN, but I don’t MIC will appreciate that.

“Our hope is that BN leaders will see our importance and accept us into their fold.

“There is space for two Indian-based parties in BN considering that there are so many coalition parties representing the people of Sabah.”

It seems the party has been quite dormant for some time, with lack of interaction between leadership and grassroot support. The acting president, Pandithan’s widow, madam Jayashree said that a press conference will be called for announcements on the party’s future plans.

By the way, IPF is suing IPF Bersatu for RM1 million for using its name, logo and registration number. The suit says IPF Bersatu is not part of the IPF, and as such has caused confusion among party members. IPF Bersatu is headed by former IPF secretary-general K. Panjamurti. IPF was set up by Tan Sri M.G.
Pandithan in the late 1980s.