Although he said this was considered “common talk in every election,” no official complaint had been received. However, he did not deny that there are certain individuals who may use it to their advantage.

“One or two individuals will try to take advantage (of this) because they don’t have self-confidence and don’t have any other strengths,” he said when met at the launch of the National Action Plan on Forced Labour 2021-2025.

He was responding to an FMT report today that the party chief SA Vigneswaran has warned contestants against using caste when canvassing for votes, but one leader claimed many had disobeyed him in private WhatsApp messages.

“It is expected to have some bearing on the outcome for certain candidates,” said the leader.

Saravanan said the president had already made an official announcement that severe action would be taken against anyone found practicing caste politics in MIC, including  suspension or expulsion from the party.

“The central working committee has decided that the moment we receive three complaints against anyone about caste politics, the president will sack them,” he said, adding that proper evidence against the accused must be produced.

FMT had reported that with gala dinners and big gatherings banned before the MIC election, the 66 hopefuls for the top posts are resorting to various other means to woo the delegates, including dishing out veshtis (or dhotis) for men and saree blouses for women.

One vice-presidential candidate for the 2021-2024 term is said to have promised RM1,000 to each of the 140 divisions while others are offering half the amount.

An estimated 24,000 delegates have cast their votes for the six candidates in the race for the three vice-presidential posts and the 60 vying for the 21 central working committee (CWC) seats.

The results are expected to be announced after 10pm.