Some 300 Indian members of PKR nationwide are believed to have quit the party in the past week in support of businessman S Nallakaruppan.

Among them were several grassroots leaders who had held top posts in party divisions.

"On Wednesday about 200 Indian members from Seremban had officially submitted their resignation letter to the party," former Rasah deputy Youth chief RS Dinesh told malaysiakini today.

Dinesh was among the first batch of nine state-level leaders who had quit the party along with Nallakaruppan on May 25.

"And there have been other members from around the country who have also expressed the interest to join Nallakaruppan in quitting the party," said another ex-party leader P Krishnasamy.

Krishnasamy is the most senior ranking party leader to have followed Nallakaruppan out of the party. He was the former Selangor PKR information chief and Klang division chairperson.

Along with Krishnasamy, about 80 Indian members from Klang had left the party now.

"But we have been receiving feedback from everywhere from Indian members who are ready to come out of the party and follow Nallakaruppan in whatever he wants to do," said Krishnasamy who also doubles as Nallakaruppan's secretary now.

'Let him take his time'

Former Segambut division deputy head S Maniselvan, another staunch Nallakaruppan supporter, said that Indian members in PKR were eager to know about Nallakaruppan's next move.

He said that Nallakaruppan had met with his supporters in Selangor and Malacca in the past week and would be travelling throughout the country in the coming days for that purpose.

"They want to know about his next move but he has been asking them to be patient. He tells them that his move will be one that is beneficial to the community," added Maniselvan.

"We expect more PKR Indian members to leave the party once Nallakaruppan makes an announcement on his political future.

"However I think we shouldn't pressure him to make hasty decisions. Let him take his time to decide and we hope his decision will be a good one for the community," said Maniselvan, who was with the party from 1999.

Good support from the ground

Nallakaruppan, 61, announced his resignation from the party on May 25, citing the party's marginalisation of the Indian community as his reason.

He added that his good friend and PKR's de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim had "backstabbed" him on two occasions in his quest for a higher profile in the party.

During the press conference to announce his resignation from PKR on May 25, Nallakaruppan said he would have to discuss with his family, friends and supporters on his next move.

Contacted today, Nallakaruppan said he was taking feedback from his supporters and would be making an announcement shortly.

"I am amazed by the support for me from the grassroots. They say they are fully behind me in whatever I do. I truly appreciate that," he said.

When pressed for his immediate plans, Nallakaruppan said that all will be revealed soon.

"Be patient. I will make an announcement soon. But believe me, whatever I do, it will be in the best interest of the community," he added.