A party source said MIC believes its position in BN has become untenable, with Umno now focused only on its own political survival, leaving its traditional allies, MIC and MCA, to fend for themselves.
For example, the source said Umno could have easily given up two of its ministerial posts to MCA and MIC if it were serious about retaining continued support from its two longstanding allies.
“We’ve reached a dead end in BN,” the source told FMT.
The source also said MIC leaders were convinced the party is unlikely to be assigned many seats to contest for the next general election (GE16).
MIC contested for 11 parliamentary seats at GE15 in 2022, but lost all except Tapah, leaving deputy president M Saravanan the party’s lone representative in the Dewan Rakyat.
“There is no way DAP or PKR, which won most of these seats, will be magnanimous enough to give us any.”
The source said MIC, a founding member of the Alliance Party that eventually evolved into BN, has seen its influence wane sharply since BN lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority in the 2008 general election.
The party’s frustration with the unity government has also been growing. In July, it said it felt like an “unwanted guest”, while Saravanan claimed MIC was “cheated” of a promised Cabinet post after GE15.
Party president SA Vigneswaran had previously insisted that MIC was keeping its options open and had not ruled out joining PN, though he maintained it was “too early” for the party to make a decision.
Another party insider said MIC’s final decision is expected after a meeting with BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who has requested a briefing on grassroots sentiment among Indian voters.
In contrast, the source also said PN is likely to allow MIC to contest some of its traditional seats, including some state constituencies.
“Under these circumstances, the best option for the party will be to align itself with PN and stay relevant to represent the Indian community,” the source added.
Another insider said MIC must “regain its dignity” and prove it can still deliver Indian votes in mixed seats where the community can decide the result.
Kota Kemuning in Selangor was cited as one such seat, with almost equal numbers of Malay and Chinese voters, as well as about 20% Indians.
The insider claimed an estimated 65% to 70% of the Malay voters have shifted to PN. That, the insider claims, makes non-Malay votes, especially votes from the Indian community, critical.
“If analysts say the Indian voters have started tilting towards the opposition, they are wrong. It has already tilted, and we hear that the Pakatan Harapan leaders are especially worried,” the party insider said.