Hindraf wants Pakatan to prove it has championed the Indian poor.

PETALING JAYA: Hindraf today took a swipe at Pakatan Rakyat for dismissing Human Rights Party protem secretary P Uthayakumar as a viable candidate for Kota Raja.

Hindraf information chief S Jayathas fired the broadside at Kota Raja MP Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud of PAS for her stand against Uthayakumar.

Uthayakumar is also Hindraf de facto leader.

Said Jayathas: “We have always maintained that if Pakatan had championed and delivered to the Indian poor, we will not contest in even one seat.”

He said this in response to Malaysiakini’s report that quoted Siti Mariah as saying that Uthayakumar would lose his deposit if he contested in her constituency.

Jayathas said Mariah’s claim that Pakatan would champion the Indian poor while, at the same time, branding Hindraf racist is akin to Umno-led BN government’s own racist campaign.

Hindraf has produced a one-page document entitled “Apa Pakatan tidak buat untuk India miskin: lima tahun perintah Selangor, Pulau Pinang dan Kedah (What Pakatan did not do for Indian poor: Five years ruling Selangor, Penang and Kedah).

Jayathas said it was Pakatan that was racist since it had failed to do much for the Indian poor.

He threw a challenge to Siti Mariah: Come and debate with Uthayakumar. He said the debate would give her a chance to rebut the Hindraf document.

Jayathas has fixed the venue and time of the verbal battle, and also chosen a title.

The title of the debate is “Is Pakatan Rakyat brand of multiculturalism inclusive of Indian poor?”

The debate will be held at Chetti Field, Klang, on Aug 26 at 11.30 am.

But the debate might not take place. When contacted, Siti Mariah said: “I am not a debater. Not good with play of words. Policy matters are best debated with top Pakatan leaders. I am not in the mood to lock horns with anyone.”

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/07/20/hindraf-fires-a-broadside-at-pakatan/#ixzz21DL6KXSj