Newly formed Makkal Sakthi party national president RS Thanenthiran lashed out at his critics who labelled the party as an instrument of the government. potential non pkr candidates for bukit selambau by-election 110209 r s thanenthiran hindraf national coordinator

"We are the people who have stood by to our struggle for the betterment of the Indian community... we cannot support people who just talk and don't proceed with the action," said Thanenthiran.

Makkal Sakthi will support those who can help solve the community's problem, and those who have a concrete plan to make change happen.

"There are people who are saying that we are not the real makkal sakthi (people's power), but they forget that they do not own the term... we are fighting for our rights and this term does not belong to anybody," he said.

He did not name any party in particular but the term 'makkal sakthi' was the battle cry at rallies organised by the banned Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) during its mammoth rally in 2007.

However, due to internal conflicts and disagreement among its members, Hindraf split and Thanenthiran, who was once the movement's coordinator, opted out and initiated the Makkal Sakthi party.

"You have your style and I have mine... we cannot be backstabbing and condemning each other, that is not our culture, " he said.

Thanenthiran added that he was taking a practical approach rather than Hindraf's idealistic goals.

"They (Hindraf) had become too idealistic and their feet was no longer planted on the ground," he said.

"They could not even fulfil their own demands, how are they expected to solve the grouses of the people," he said.

Najib has a new route, a new path and a new plan

NONE The official launch of the party is taking place at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang tomorrow and it will be launched by Prime Minister Najib Razak (right) .

Thanenthiran said that 5,000 delegates are expected to attend the launch.

"Under the new prime minister there is a change in leadership style and we recognise the change," he said.

"Someone is making a difference... he has a new route, a new path and a new plan to counter all the problems and the conflicts, why must we reject them," he asked.

"We need a saviour and I am confident that we (Makkal Sakthi) will be able to bridge and solve all problems faced.

"Past community leaders said that the BN government cheated them, but what has come from the opposition?" he asked.

"Makkal Sakthi exists to make the people aware of their political rights", said Thanenthiran, adding that almost 70 percent of the party members are youth.

"They are desperate for change and they want to serve the people... we believe that we are the servants of the people, and that is what we are here to do," he asserted.

Bagan Pinang, a sure win for BN

Thanenthiran who has been campaigning for Barisan candidate Isa Samad in Bagan Pinang by-election assured that the Indians minority, which makes up for about 20 percent of the total votes, are surely to poll for BN.

"What can a PAS leader do there, the state is run by BN and he cannot make any significant change... the Indians have been left out long enough and now under the new leadership they can too profit," he said.

He added that from the looks of the sentiments of the people on the ground, the Indian voters will vote for BN as they want development.