Indian Progressive Front (IPF) president MG Pandithan passed away this morning after a protracted bout with leukemia.The 68-year-old leader died at Hospital Kuala Lumpur at 8.30am. His wife Jevashree Pandithan was at his bedside.

The veteran politician was previously a popular leader in MIC who commanded strong grassroots support from the Indian working class. He later rose up the ranks to become vice-president.However, his ties with MIC president S Samy Vellu became strained when he backed a faction opposed to the president.

In 1988, he was slapped with a show-cause letter for allegedly practising caste-oriented politics.

In June that year, Pandithan embarked on a hunger strike in front of the MIC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. He brought along a coffin to signify that democracy was dead to signify that democracy was dead in the party in a protest which made headlines.This led to his expulsion on July 16 together with 13 of his loyalists.

Two years later, he formed IPF and since then the party has been trying to gain entry into the Barisan Nasional ruling coalition but Samy Vellu remained opposed to this.However during the Ijok by-election last April, the two sworn enemies buried the hatchet and hugged each other on stage.

During the IPF congress in July last year, a frail-looking Pandithan heaped praises on Samy Vellu and described him as a "hero of the Indians." He also likened him to the Hindu god, Lord Krishna.

This reunion did not go down well with some members in IPF who viewed it as an act of betrayal by their president.

In a statement today, Samy Vellu said he is deeply sad over Pandithan’s demise.
"We are shocked by his death and wish to extend our condolences to his family. Pandithan was a great leader who had the people in his heart."He worked tirelessly for the Indian community and had achieved many successes. He is looked upon as a people’s leader with the qualities of a statesman," he added.

The MIC president said Pandithan will be remembered for his sacrifices and deeds as a leader of the people.

"I will miss him a lot because he’s not only a leader of a mass-based party, but he was also my friend," he added.Meanwhile. Gerakan vice-president Dr S Vijayaratnam said Pandithan had been a great help to BN, including during general elections.

"We will never forget his untiring efforts to help Malaysians of all walks of life, not only from the Indian community, but from other races as well," said Vijayaratnam."He had an almost Gandhian image of being kind to all, never losing his temper, but being firm and resolute when the need arose."

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi paid his last respects to Pandithan at his residence in Seri Kembangan in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

"He had always shown deep concern on issues concerning low-income earners and poor Indians," he told Bernama.

"That was his struggle all along and he showed seriousness and dedication. His followers loved him dearly."The Malaysian Hindu Sangam described Pandithan's death as a great loss to the Indian community.In a statement, its president A Vaithilingam said he knew the late politician as a young journalist in the late sixties.
"He was then very popular with the San Peng Road Indian community who were mostly in the poverty group."I came to know him better in the seventies when we met at various seminars and youth training programmes. Though we had some differences in opinion, we were then together in the field of youth development.."

Vaithilingam said to Pandithan was a dynamic leader of thousands until his illness."He was a brave leader, a 'Makkal Thondan' (one who serves the people) and respected with love by his followers."