Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source affiliated with the party told FMT it would be pro-Perikatan Nasional.

“The setting up of the party has been in the works for months and we will finally be announcing it to the public in about two weeks from now,” the source said.

It said it took a while to set up the party, despite Punithan leaving MIC in June, as he had to meet several key players before finalising the details.

“A total of 160 division leaders have been identified for the party, and there will also be at least 100 Indian NGOs nationwide directly affiliated with the party.”

According to the source, the party is aimed at the younger generation.

“About 70% of the party members will be youths while the other 30% will consist of several well-known politicians and businessmen.”

The new party aims to register some 200,000 members by the end of next year.

“This is possible because at 38 years old, Punithan will be one of the youngest presidents of any political party and it could help us to attract young Indian voters,” the source said.

When contacted, Punithan said: “Wait for the announcement in a few weeks’ time.”

Previously, FMT reported that as many as three new Indian political parties would be formed.

On Sunday, former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy announced his new party, United for the Rights of Malaysians Party or Urimai.

Last month, businessman P Thiagarajan – better known as Oms Thiagarajan – held a gathering in Klang where he announced plans to set up a new political party, which he claimed would be backed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The prime minister’s office has since said it is not backing anyone to form a political party.

While it did not single out anyone, it also chastised those who “misused” the prime minister’s name without authorisation.