Three splinter group leaders of the problem-ridden Indian Progressive Front (IPF) came together in a show of reunification under the party banner in Kuala Lumpur.

They were P Panjamoorthy and V Sengguttuvan while another faction leader M Mathialagan was absent as he was attending a court case in Penang. He was represented by another faction leader.

However the main faction, led by party president Jayashree Pandithan, was conspicuously missing.

NONE The reunification efforts were undertaken by businessman-activist, Vyran T Raj and two others ‘in the interest of the Indian community'.

Despite Jayashree's absence, Vyran read out a press statement that expressed confidence that all the four factions, including that led by Jayashree, would bury their differences and reunite under the party.

President's absence dismissed

When asked about Jayashree's absence, Vyran said it was ‘immaterial as she had attended the negotiation on unification held on Oct 1'.

"If she wants to disassociate by all means she can do so. The three teams are united," he replied.

NONE However, he said that she has been kept informed and was not isolated.

Panjamoorthy ( left ) who leads IPF Bersatu concurred with Vyran.

"We unanimously support the decision made on Oct 1 under Vyran. We have come together in the interest of the community and we want IPF to be strong."

Emphasising his position as the party's secretary-general, he did not discount the possibility of an all out battle against those who oppose the resolution.

"If anyone wants to fight it out, we can fight it out," he said in reply to a question.

Senggutuvan was also supportive of reunification while stressing his position as deputy party president.

"I am still deputy president. The past is the past. I think we better reunite and strengthen the party.

Vyran told the press conference that the ‘application to join the Barisan Nasional would be done within 14 days'.

He added that the Indian votes were crucial in the present context and IPF has always stood by the ruling coalition, hence it was crucial for IPF to gain entry into the BN.

Unity PC but president unaware

NONE Asked on the possibility of IPF joining the opposition, Vyran ( right ) said the factions did not discuss that as their primary goal was to get IPF's 320,000 members into the ruling coalition.

R Ravishankar, aligned to M Mathialagan, met after press conference, said that no leader can claim the party's two top posts as the ROS had not recognised them as leaders at the time of founder president, the late MG Pandithan.

In Mathialagan's faction, Ravishankar is deputy president.

Meanwhile, the embattled party president, when contacted, said that she was unaware of any meeting to announce plans for party unification.

"I am not aware of the function. I wasn't briefed," she said when told of the press conference.

"Who is Vyran Raj to the party?" she asked when informed of the identity of the person holding the press conference.

While welcoming the factions back into the party, she stressed that they must follow rules and regulations.

She also revealed that Sengguduvan's faction had opposed a condition to give up all claims to party posts during an eight-hour negotiation session held on Oct 1 in Eastin Hotel, Petaling Jaya.