Several Indian PKR leaders have denied a news report claiming that they have withdrawn from the upcoming party polls.

The group said the decision by Kepong PKR chief KS Nallakarupan, 60, to withdraw from the vice-president race has no bearing on them whatsoever.

Nallakarupan, a close ally of party advisor Anwar Ibrahim, had previously announced that he would vie for a veep post.

Despite raking in the second highest number of nominations, Nallakarupan withdrew from the race yesterday as reported by the Star but did not explain his action.

The same report also named several other Indian PKR leaders following suit, among them Klang division chief P Krishnasamy and Segambut division chief M Maniselvam who are both aligned to Nallakarupan.

Quoting sources, the article also suggested that Bera division deputy youth chief T Sarawanan and Jempol division youth chief M Dhinesh would withdraw from the party polls.

At a hastily organised press conference today attended by about 20 Indian PKR leaders in Petaling Jaya today, PKR Youth vice-head S Manikavasagam denied statements attributed to him in the article.

He also pointed out that Dhinesh was not even nominated for any post and yet the article gave the impression that Indian PKR leaders were withdrawing from the race.

Democratic process

Manikavasagam later reaffirmed that he would be moving up a notch by contesting for a supreme council seat.

Similarly, Sarawanan denied the news report and reaffirmed that he would accept the nominations for the Youth exco post. He added that he was never contacted by the writer of the article.

On the decision by Nallakarupan to withdraw from the race, Manikavasagam ( left ) said he was unaware of the former's reasons but stressed that such occurrences are natural in a democratic party.

With Nallakarupan out of the race, the contest for the vice-presidency is led by cardiologist Dr Lee Boon Chye followed by Kepong division chief and party Women's chief Fuziah Salleh and Azmin Ali.

The trio received 85, 42 and 34 nominations respectively. Newcomer Nallakaruppan garnered 57 nominations.

Incumbent Azmin Ali is expected to defend his post while another incumbent R Sivarasa ( right ) has withdrawn.

A full list of contestants for all party posts will be released tomorrow. Party polls for the Youth and Women wings is on May 25 while elections for the central leadership will be held the following day.