The newly formed Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP) will raise its stakes and play up its bargaining chips before deciding on the political block in the country to join.

MIUP president KS Nallakaruppan said his infant party would not join any political entity merely to be a feeder group or to carry flags and banners for others.

The party, he said, aimed to be a leading decision-making party in any political front and would not bow to terms dictated by others, especially if the conditions are detrimental to the Indian community.

"We want to be an influential decision-making entity for the Indian community in any coalition," he told about 100 local politicians in Penang, who have gathered at a leading Tamil restaurant in Georgetown to hear him out recently.

Whether MIUP will join the BN or the loose opposition gorup, comprising DAP. PKR and PAS is expected to be known at the party's official launching on Nov 25.

Insight views suggested that Nallakaruppan could join anyone in the near future depending on how much the party would gain for its bargaining chip.

"We won't join on their terms. It will be on our terms and conditions," he told the local politicians, who were mostly disgruntled former and present leaders from MIC and PPP.

Nallakaruppan was in Penang leading a four-man team on a nationwide tour to meet local Indian politicians and to spread the party wings to the northern corridor.

Indian interests paramount

Besides Penang, MIUP is said to have a presence in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Perak and Kedah.

Replying to questions from the floor, Nalla said the party's terms and conditions would be based solely on the interests of the Indian community in the country.

"We will not join a coalition just for the sake of joining. We will not baulk from our duty to the Indian, especially the Tamil Hindu, community.

"If we want to join someone or a group, it will happen only if it benefits the community that we represent," he said.

Although Nalla acknowledged that it would be a long arduous task to propel Miup into a leading Indian-based party in the country, he, nonetheless, said it was not impossible.

"With the right strategies, policies and good leaders based on democratic virtues, MIUP can become the number one Indian party in the country.

"That's my aim," he added.