Hindraf: Pakatan risks losing 25 seats without us

Pakatan Rakyat risks losing 25 parliamentary seats in the upcoming general election without Hindraf’s partnership, the Indian-based movement claimed today.

 

Hindraf chairman P Waytha Moorthy said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration has gained traction in the Indian community, and the community was “not at war with the government as they were in 2007 and 2008.”

 

“The Najib administration has done tremendous work on the ground and if they are successful in gaining 55% of the total Indian voters, Pakatan is likely to face risk in 25 parliament seats,” he said in a statement.

 

“We have educated and empowered the people politically. They are no longer the naive community who would agree to what is promised prior to elections.

 

“We earnestly hope Pakatan would do some real on-the-ground investigation instead of relying on information from their own diehard supporters. BN did the same mistake in 2008 and paid a heavy price,” he added.

 

Waytha Moorthy said Hindraf, with its 200 volunteers, is prepared to do the ground work for Pakatan to gain support among the Indian community. 

 

He also said Pakatan should endorse the Hindraf blueprint in which the group spells out policies that if feels would help alleviate the problems faced by the Indian community.

 

“Hindraf has been questioned by the Indian community throughout their road shows as to the reason for Pakatan’s reluctance to sign the document. We have no concrete answer to give them,” he said.

 

Waytha Moorthy repeated his claim that a strategic partnership with Hindraf would ensure delivery of 50% of the undecided Indian voters.

 

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had previously said the coalition’s Buku Jingga, a master plan of policies it would enact if it were to take over Putrajaya, would address the woes of the Indian community.

 

Pakatan’s discussions with Hindraf to form an electoral pact hit a wall after the group reportedly demanded that its representatives be fielded as candidates in seven parliamentary constituencies and 10 state seats.

 

Waytha Moorthy clarified later Hindraf representatives are only seeking to contest in constituencies that are currently held by MIC.