“A multiracial party is my choice because it suits my political idealism and beliefs. The country should progress.

“As of now, I have not decided which party to join. I still have work to do and want to focus on my senatorial duties,” Sivaraj told FMT.

Within Pakatan Harapan, Sivaraj’s options would be either PKR or DAP. Meanwhile, his choice in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition would be limited to Gerakan, which is the only multiracial option. Bersatu only offers an associate membership to non-Bumiputeras.

On Thursday, FMT reported that PN was looking to form an all-Indian committee fronted by former MIC leaders, with a view to setting up a new single-race party within the coalition.

However, the former Cameron Highlands MP refused to be drawn into the matter, saying he was only one of several people who quit MIC recently.

Sivaraj fuelled suspicions of being in discussions with Bersatu following a meeting with the party’s secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin shortly after his removal from MIC’s central working committee.

However, in a Facebook post, Sivaraj said his meeting had nothing to do with collaborating with Bersatu. Instead, he claimed that certain people were intent on tarnishing his reputation.

Last month, Sivaraj quit MIC after nearly 20 years, citing differences with its leadership.

Two weeks prior, MIC president SA Vigneswaran removed Sivaraj from the party’s central working committee. Sivaraj said Vigneswaran gave no reason for his expulsion.

Days after Sivaraj left MIC, the party’s Selangor youth chief P. Punithan also quit.