In his policy address at MIC’s 75th annual general meeting this morning, party president SA Vigneswaran asked Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to allocate winnable seats fairly and appropriately.

“MIC is open to contests in traditional or new constituencies, based on current political needs,” he said.

However, he asked that they be given parliamentary constituencies or state seats where they will have a fighting chance.

“Don’t give us seats where we would surely lose because of many factors outside our control.”

Vigneswaran also urged BN to allocate seats as soon as possible so that the component parties can appoint coordinators there to start preparing for the election.

BN leaders present at the general meeting included coalition chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, its treasurer-general Hishammuddin Hussein, and MCA deputy president Mah Hang Soon.

Vickneswaran added that he was confident MIC would be able to win back the parliamentary seats it lost in the previous election if given a chance.

He also said that the party’s waning credibility among Indian voters was not just a result of slander by the opposition, but also due to a “cold war” with “friends of BN”.

He called on the BN chairman to ensure that these “friends” would not be allowed to contest in MIC seats, questioning their ability to win votes for the coalition.

“Aside from camaraderie, what else do they bring to the table?”

Zahid, in response to Vickneswaran’s plea, promised to offer MIC the “fighting chance” it was seeking, adding that he would decide on the seats in the next two weeks.

In his speech, he said BN component parties must set aside inter- and intra-party issues and also religious or racial differences to attract first-time voters in the next general election.

“We must prove that BN is better than what we had before this,” he added.

He also gave his assurance that “friends of BN” parties would not contest in MIC seats.

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