The tiff between Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) de facto leader P Uthayakumar and national secretary P Ramesh appears to be simmering down

Ramesh has acknowledged Uthayakumar as still the leader, but with a caveat - that the organisation must be consulted before he issues any statement.

NONEThe trouble began when Ramesh (left) announced last week that the organisation was distancing itself from its leader for expressing the desire to get Pakatan Rakyat to openly declare its policies for Indians at an upcoming rally  without prior consultation with its national coordinating committee.

In response to that, Uthayakumar put the episode down to just a "difference of opinion", not serious enough to spark a split in the movement, when he spoke to Malaysiakini over the phone yesterday.

He is widely known to speak his mind on matters affecting the party off his own bat which Ramesh had pointed out last week.

Signs of digging in

"I admit that there are differing views as to whether or not we should back Pakatan. I am known to adopt a more hardline approach," said Uthayakumar.

Ramesh had also said that Uthayakumar does not sit on Hindraf's decision-making coordinating committee although he is Human Rights Party's pro-tem secretary.

NONEUthayakumar's (right) reaction to that was that he had become acquainted with the secretary only after being freed from ISA detention, pointing out that the Bangsar HRP headquarters is Hindraf's as well.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Ramesh said he still regarded Uthayakumar as Hindraf's head but expressed the hope that he will consult the coordinating committee before issuing any statement.

"I don't mind if he uses Hindraf's name. He is still our mentor. But he must give us prior notice," he added.