In its relatively short existence, the Indian Progressive Front (IPF) has overcome many hurdles, but its biggest to date is just ahead - it could well be deregistered.

The Registrar of Societies (ROS) wrote to the IPF on July 10, pointing out that the party has violated its constitution by taking these actions:

  • Electing Jayashree Pandithan as acting president on April 20, 2008
  • Suspending vice-president V Senggutuan and deputy president V Mathialagan
  • Conducting an annual general meeting (AGM) on Dec 14, 2008 instead of in September
  • Not giving the required period of notice for the AGM
  • Creating a deputy president’s post for the 2006-2008 session and electing three instead of five vice-presidents

ipf interview 210709 jayashree pandithan In an interview with Malaysiakini , Jayashree said the party will respond to the show-cause letter which it received on July 18.

“It is a small matter. We have given a copy of this (letter) to the lawyer. We will reply the letter. It is not a big issue,” she said.

Responding to the main issues raised, she said the suspension of the two officials was the outcome of a decision by the central working committee (CWC).

The AGM was delayed due to the death of founding president MG Pandithan and conducted in December, after the party received advice from the ROS office in Shah Alam.

She claimed that the Shah Alam office had recognised her as party president, despite a letter sent in January by the ROS headquarters in Putrajaya stating that her election was "null and void".

Jayashree lashed out at faction leaders Senggutuan and Mathialagan, who she accused of creating havoc in the party.

“Senggutuan held an illegal CWC meeting without the principal office-bearers being present. Mathialagan, who claims to be the party president, has unlawfully registered a number of branches using the party’s registration number,” she claimed.

“I am not stopping these new parties, but they are not registered by ROS and they should not be using IPF’s name and registration number. They want to do things on their own that are detrimental to the party... but these factions are still using our banner. So what does this signify?”

Prior to the infighting, IPF had 1,500 branches and 90 divisions nationwide. The party is currently sorting out details of branches and divisions.

“We had more than 300,000 members. Those supporting the two factions have not resigned as yet. That means they are still members,” she said.

‘No merger with MIC’

Asked to comment on complaints about misappropriation of funds collected for the IPF headquarters built in 2007, she denied any knowledge of the matter.

wisma ipf building 070507 “That I would not know, as Senggutuan did not pass any relevant documents to me when I took over. As for financial records he didn’t pass those down to us. It is an offence. This is the main reason he has been against me.

“I asked for the documents (so that these can be kept) in the office, not in (his) house. He became angry and started acting very funny. He told other members ‘she is doing wrong things’. We have all the documents pertaining to the building. It is held under the party’s name.”

As to whether IPF will merge with MIC, Jayashree was vehement in her response. The invitation for a merger had been issued by MIC president S Samy Vellu in January.

“It is next to impossible. We will work closely with or help any other party but we will not merge with them at any cost. We will not dissolve IPF. It will remain for as long as we are alive. We will not lose this identity,” she said.

Instead, the party will push for membership in the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, despite Samy Vellu's objections.

mg pandithan funeral Jayashree said she will meet BN chairperson and premier Najib Abdul Razak to discuss the matter, as it was Pandithan’s wish for the party to support the ruling coalition.

Pandithan, who was married to Jayashree, was once a MIC leader, but fell out with Samy Vellu.

The final straw was when he mounted a hunger strike outside the MIC headquarters, during which he sat beside an empty coffin.

Prior to Pandithan's death in 2008, he and Samy Vellu patched up their relationship.