PETALING JAYA: Hindraf today defended its decision to ink a deal with Barisan Nasional (BN), alleging Pakatan Rakyat had ignored the movement.
Its adviser, N Ganesan(Pic) said P Waythamoorthy had a series of meetings with Pakatan to get their endorsement to its five year blueprint for the Indian community since September.
“We had about 26 meetings with leaders such as PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim, DAP chairman Karpal Singh and even PAS spiritual adviser Nik Aziz Nik Mat but nothing transpired from it.
“Thinking maybe we were too firm in our demands, we sent a letter softening our stance for the endorsement on Jan 18, but still we received no reply. We were taken for a ride,” he said.
When Pakatan unveiled its manifesto in February, it was obvious the opposition pact was insensitive as it did not specify any programmes to uplift the Indian community.
“That was when Waythamoorthy started his hunger strike. Even during that time, we received no word from Pakatan, but on March 22, BN chief Najib Tun Razak called us for a meeting.
“After a series meeting, which was initially casual, finally led to the signing of the historic agreement between BN and Hindraf on April 18,” said Ganesan.
Knowing the deal with BN would dent Pakatan’s march to Putrajaya, Ganesan accused the opposition pact of starting a campaign to tarnish the movement’s image by spinning lies.
He also said that BN had given the movement a window of opportunity to uplift the Indian community, which could not be missed.
“We did not want to lose this opportunity over petty politics. So we decided to give BN another five years.
“On our part, we will deliver the plan embodied in the agreement between BN and Hindraf. We make this promise to all Indians in the country,” said Ganesan.
Meanwhile, Waythamoorthy’s brother P Uthayakumar announced today that the former was no longer a part of the movement.
“Our supreme council has sacked him from all posts in the movement. I will reveal more details at a press conference tomorrow,” said Uthayakumar who labels himself as the de facto leader of Hindraf.
Waythamoorthy’s faction however dispute Uthayakumar’s position within the movement, saying that he was only the legal advisor, and the pro-tem secretary-general of Human Rights Party, which started off as a political wing of Hindraf.
