By IANS
Kuala Lumpur : With the nomination of many ethnic Indian candidates from other parties, including the controversial Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), causing possible division of ethnic Indian votes, the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) is going to find the going tough in the coming elections.
The MIC has been part of the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional since independence. But growing expectations among the two million-plus ethnic Tamils, Hindraf’s controversial protest rallies and dissensions within ranks are relatively new factors the MIC is facing as it contests the 12th general election.
Typical of the poll campaign, meetings of embattled MIC president S. Samy Vellu, who is also Malaysia’s works minister, have been disturbed.
There have been demands that he step down during the run-up to the elections. But Vellu has said he would not leave halfway and let the community down.
He has said that his ninth bid of parliament is his last.
Vellu has told the party’s candidates to toil for every vote as campaigning hits fever pitch.
“They have to slog it out. The MIC along with our Barisan Nasional partners will help them by going from house to house,” The New Straits Times said Wednesday.
Vellu said it was evident the MIC candidates would have to work hard in the run-up to polling day.