Waytha, who was the national unity minister in the previous PH government, said attempts to forge cooperation with the coalition had failed.

“PKR president (and PH chairman) Anwar Ibrahim insists that he does not want an Indian (based) party in PH,” the Hindraf co-founder claimed in a statement.

Waytha said he wanted to fight for the Indian community with MAP, adding that other political parties were not “embarrassed” about advocating for the rights of their respective communities.

“Take Umno, Bersatu, Pejuang, PAS, Amanah and DAP (for example). They are all clear in their directions. I, too, am clear about my agenda for the poorer segment of the Indian community.

“Why must I forsake the most marginalised Indian community in the name of multiracialism, and shortchange them further?” he said.

He also said MAP had no choice but to seek a partnership with “Malay and Chinese majority political parties” since there was no parliamentary seat whose demographic was mostly made up of the Indian community.

He maintained that the party can only bring effective changes for Malaysian Indians by being a part of the federal government, and urged the community to vote with the future generation in mind.

MAP was officially formed in 2019 while Waytha was serving in the PH government.

PH has yet to decide on Muda’s application to join the coalition, as well as on Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s bid for an electoral pact.