Several Indian leaders from PKR have launched a scathing attack against former member KS Nallakarupan over his criticism of the opposition party.

Last night, at the winding-up of the Youth congress, outgoing Youth vice-chief S Manikavasagam said Nallakarupan's allegations were unfounded and that the ex-member had not contributed much to the party.

" When he joined the party he said he wanted to bring 10,000 members into the party. But in Ijok (by-elections), where were they?" said Manikavasagam who was greeted by loud cheers from the delegates.

In the same vein, he said Nallakarupan's claims that hundreds of other Indian party members would leave the party with him were exaggerated and that only three had done so.

The trio are believed to be party members who hold divisional posts and are closely aligned to Nallakarupan.

"He also told the press that R Mahendas (Jempol Youth chief), P Saravanan (Pahang deputy Youth chief) and Mohd Sidek Mohd Ibrahim (Lembah Pantai deputy head) would leave the party, but they are here with us (at the congress)," added Manikavasagam.

Nallakarupan announced yesterday that he would quit the party after a tiff with PKR advisor and former tennis buddy Anwar Ibrahim.

He claimed that Anwar had urged him to withdraw from contesting the party vice-president post despite having garnered the second highest nominations.

Noisy protest held

At the sidelines of the PKR congress today in Seremban, some 70 Indian party members staged a noisy protest against Nallakarupan outside the hall at the Chinese secondary school where the congress was being held.

PKR deputy information chief P Jenapala when addressing the crowd said the gathering was testament that Indian PKR members were still strongly behind the party.

Speaking on the matter today, Anwar said the comments by Nallakarupan were "personal" instead of political.

Nallakarupan is often remembered for being a key figure in the alleged political conspiracy against Anwar.

He was arrested under the Internal Security Act in July 1998 for unlawful possession of ammunition, two months before Anwar was sacked as deputy premier.

During his trial for possession of illegal firearms which he was acquitted in 1999, Nallakarupan claimed that he was forced to sign false statements implicating Anwar of sexual misconducts.