Disgruntled former PKR division leader B Kalaivanar today called on the party's candidate for the Bukit Selambau by-election S Manikumar to prove that he was a PKR member for two years as claimed.

kalaivanar blasting pkr manikumar pc 030409 01 According to him, the 35-year-old car dealer had only become a member after being earmarked by party supremo Anwar Ibrahim to run in the elections.

"Ask him to show his membership number and make a sworn statement that he was a member with PKR for two years," he said during a press conference in Sungai Petani.

The selection of Manikumar, who is a political greenhorn, has ruffled the feathers of various quarters including Kalaivanar, who was vying to be candidate.

Since quitting the party on Monday, the former Jerai division chief has embarked on an aggressive anti-PKR drive.

Kalaivanar also accused Manikumar of deploying gangsters to disrupt his ceramahs.

bukit selambau by election pkr campaign s manikumar visiting market 300309 01 He alleged that Manikumar had sent two gangsters whom he identified as 'Velu' and 'Guna' to cause disturbances during the talks.

"When I am giving my ceramah at the villages, from the back, they will shout, telling me to leave the place... although the people want me to stay on.

"There was even once when one of them used a piece of wood to chase people away," he exclaimed.

"When Anwar (Ibrahim) can condemn Najib (Abdul Razak) publicly, why can't Kalaivanar criticise (Kedah MB) Azizan (Abdul Razak) who is only now going down to the people when he should have done so a year ago when he was made menteri besar," he said.

Slams Anwar as well

He also slammed Anwar for not taking care of the problems faced by his constituents in Permatang Pauh.

"There are hundreds of villagers in Bagan Serai who annually suffer from heavy floods, he has not solved the problems there... instead he comes here and talks big about the efforts of the Kedah state government... what have they done for us?" he asked.

"You can go see for yourself the condition of the people in Kampung Sungai Getah in Bukit Selambau, there are 17 families there without basic amenities," he said.

kalaivanar blasting pkr manikumar pc 030409 02 Meanwhile, Kalaivanar also showed reporters photographs of the gangsters who disrupted his ceramah, alleging that Guna was Manikumar's personal assistant.

Asked whether he had lodged a police report, Kalaivanar said he would do it later today as he was waiting for the prints of the photographs.

Brushing aside the accusation that he is peeved with not being chosen as a candidate, the influential local leader said: "The truth is that they are not interested in helping the people but to only earn their fortune. In this one year, excos have become very wealthy.”

Kalainavar also dismissed the allegation that he had received money from Barisan Nasional to rundown PKR.

"I dare them to make a police report if they have evidence of Kalai accepting money," he said.

"It is true that I wanted a post in the exco and I am disappointed but I wanted a post so that I can help the people," he said.

Kalaivanar, who now heads a non-governmental organisation called Alternative Action Team and Indian Efficiency Movement, warned voters of Bukit Selambau to be wary of PKR and not to be fooled by the trickery and sweet talks.

The former PKR leader was charged in court last year for two counts of cheating involving RM3,600.

Contacted later, Manikumar denied the allegations. "I have no bad intentions against Kalaivanar... in fact, I don't even know him."