The Registrar of Societies (ROS) has officially recognised M Sambanthan as the lawful president of the Indian Progressive Front (IPF).

Sambanthan told a press conference at Wisma IPF in Seri Kembangan today that a letter to that effect dated July 23 was sent by ROS to IPF's secretary-general T Loganathan.

He said he welcomed the decision and hoped that all IPF members would support his leadership to bring the party forward.

ipf interview 210709 jayashree pandithan IPF became embroiled in a power struggle after the death of its founder MG Pandithan in 2008 and split into two factions, one led by Pandithan's widow Jayshree MG Pandithan and the other by MV Mathiyalagan.

Things came to a boil in 2010 when Jayshree ( left ), who was acting president, recognised Sambanthan as the new president.

The ROS, through a letter dated June 6, gave Sambanthan and Mathiyalagan a month to resolve the leadership crisis in the party failing which it risked being de-registered automatically.

Commenting on Mathiyalagan's status, Sambanthan said his membership had been suspended since 2008 for failing to reply to a show-cause letter.

He added that he hoped Mathiyalagan would respect the ROS decision.

"I have also issued a warning on unauthorised use of the party name, registration number, logo and flag. Offenders will face legal action," Sambanthan said.

He said the party's supreme council had 26 members and it had more than 100,000 members in 600 branches nationwide.

IPF, a splinter of the MIC, was formed in 1990. It has always adopted a pro-BN stand, but has yet to be accepted as a component party of the coalition.

- Bernama