More discontent exposed itself within PKR following party elections with the Padang Serai division chief's accusation of several party leaders "teaming up to form a cartel" and the election committee being involved in irregularities and conspiracy.

Among the party leaders, he claimed, acting as the ‘hidden hand' in the election process were incumbent vice-presidents Azmin Ali and R Sivarasa as well as supreme council member Dr Xavier Jayakumar.

NONE "We want the central election committee to immediately solve all problems pertaining to the divisional polls and also I want them to be fair, transparent and neutral.

"Our friends from Subang (division) were suddenly suspended yesterday by the election committee," said N Gobalakrishnan, ( right ) referring to Mohd Najmi Samsudin and V Sivam who were allegedly elected as the Subang division chief and deputy chief respectively.

Fed up with the ongoing bickering and feuds, Gobalakrishnan, also Padang Serai MP said "there is no point staying if this continues... if the election can be manipulated by individuals this way".

"I believe the decision was made by a few people who are there to save Sivarasa who lost in Subang election. Sivarasa only got five votes (according) to the report given to the person who conducted elections and also the police on the issue," he said.

In the Subang division election, Sivarasa had received 158 votes in the initial count for the division chief's post, however, the number later dipped to 121 and Mohd Najmi was returned to the post.

"I believe the election committee has failed in their task. I'm urging them to buck up and clear all these cases before the coming party elections. Or else disband themselves and postpone the national PKR elections for a month or two to be fair to everyone.

"It is very unbecoming and undemocratic for a few people to team up like a cartel, to deny justice and they are bringing bad image to the party and party president Anwar (Ibrahim)," he added.

Steaming at conduct of polls

Besides the unhappiness with the way the Sept 25 Subang divisional polls were managed, Gobalakrishnan was also upset over the election committee's failure to act on the complaints from other divisions like Kota Raja as well.

Xavier, who is the Andalas assemblyman and Selangor state executive councillor, was accused of causing injury and bringing in thugs to the divisional polls to prevent other candidates from winning.

Meanwhile, more recently, Nurul Izzah Anwar's bid for the deputy presidency was also denied as she was said to have not garnered enough nominations.

Peeved by the election committee's announcement that Nurul Izzah had failed to qualify, he insisted that there must be "something wrong".

"She is a performing parliamentarian. If I'm not mistaken, she received four nominations for deputy president - Pensiangan, Keningau, Semporna and Selangkau," he said.

"I am very angry that somebody who qualified through the normal democratic process has been denied."

He pointed out that he  had stood firmly with the party for 11 years and this was the first time fhe had called a press conference.

"People can call me a Trojan Horse, traitor, but I will stay and fight".

Azmin: So now everything is my fault?

The party concluded its divisional elections on Oct 3 but nine of them whose annual general meetings (AGMs) or polls were suspended will have to repeat the whole process.

The five that had their AGMs suspended over technical issues like misprints and lack of ballot papers will hold their meets on Nov 19, 20 and 21 prior to the party congress, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution had said.

The other four, suspended because of disruptions, will hold their polls and meetings after the party's congress.

According the the Machang parliamentarian, the five divisions with the elections scheduled prior to the PKR congress are Kuala Nerus, Jerai, Merbok, Petaling Jaya Selatan and Hulu Selangor.

Those with the polls fixed for after the congress are Klang, Kapar, Kuala Langat and Subang.

On Gobalakrishnan's accusations, Azmin when met at Parliament simply said that "democratic decisions of the party must be upheld".

He added that if there were qualms about the way the election committee is managing the elections it has to be directed to the respective party authority.

"Every problem in party is my fault, right? I'm not a member of the election committee. How do I manipulate the results of the elections?

"It is a direct election, a new system being implemented by the party, every member has one vote so they have to turn up to cast their votes," he said.