MIC candidates dodging the boss?

MIC candidates for the 12^th general election are purportedly in a dilemma. They are torn between loyalty and political ambition.

While some sources claimed that certain candidates are trying to prevent party president S Samy Vellu from visiting their constituencies, others have dismissed this.

The sources said candidates are worried that the veteran politician's presence will undermine their campaign, especially in securing Indian votes.

"Out of respect, they don't tell him directly. So they find excuses. The message is put across subtlety, they tell him things like 'nothing to worry, the seat is safe, we can handle it'.

"The candidates have been working hard to reach out to Indian voters and they are afraid if he visits, all their effort will be in vain," he said.

The sources said candidates have grown concerned after hearing and reading about the problems faced by their 71-year-old president in certain areas.

On Wednesday night, Samy Vellu was forced to abort a dinner function in Kedah after some 3,000 people reportedly armed with rocks and knives were waiting for him.

The sources said recent events revealed that the community's main source of frustration is the president and not the party.

"His presence angers the local Indian community and the opposition is capitalising on this. This has gotten the MIC candidates worried.

"So some, especially those whose seats are shaky, want to keep the president away. In politics, choosing between loyalty and ambition is often an easy decision," he said.

However, MIC vice-president S Sothinathan denied that the president is being sidelined by his candidates.

"There is no such thing," he said when contacted this afternoon.

"A lot of lies are being spread. They have no issues against us, so they resort to lies," he said, adding that even he has been the subject of such lies.

"There have been people going around saying I was beaten up and all. Even the police came to check. So there are many lies being spread," said Sothinathan, who will be defending his Teluk Kemang parliamentary seat in this election.

According to him, Samy Vellu's vast experience and capabilities will serve as a boon rather than bane for the candidates.

MIC information chief M Saravanan also dismissed the possibility of candidates resorting to such measures.

"Impossible!" This was his immediate reaction when the question was posed this afternoon. "The candidates will never do such a thing."

"They would rather lose the seat than tell the president not to come," he added.

Saravanan - who is vying for the Tapah parliamentary seat - said people there have been asking him repeatedly when the MIC president will visit the area.

"And these are not MIC members, but the public," he said, describing this as a ploy by detractors to tarnish Samy Vellu's reputation.

MIC Subang parliamentary candidate S Murugesan also echoed a similar view.

"The president is still valuable to the campaign," he said when contacted. "He is now focusing on the critical seats and I don't believe it's true that candidates are avoiding him."

MIC candidate for the Batu Caves state seat T Mohan said Samy Vellu is the one who gave candidates the seats and it will be ungrateful of them to do such a thing.

"Nobody can deny what he has done for the community," said the businessman who is making his election debut.

"I am waiting for him to come and support me in Batu Caves," he said, adding that it is only a small group of people who make noise and cause problems.

Samy Vellu has come under intense pressure since the Nov 25 rally organised by Hindraf last year which drew some 30,000 disgruntled Indian Malaysians to the streets.