The MIC will field two new faces for parliamentary seats and 12 fresh faces for state seats.

Its president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said vice-presidents Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar and Datuk S. Veerasingam have been dropped from the parliamentary seat race while the remaining seven MPs, including himself, have been retained.

He said lawyer S. Murugesan would contest in the Subang parliamentary seat while MIC information chief Datuk M. Saravanan would be fielded in Tapah.

“Veerasingam will contest in the Sungkai state seat and will take over the Perak state (MIC),” he told reporters at a packed press conference at his ministry.

Those dropped from state seats include state chairmen Datuk V. Saravanan (Kedah), Datuk Dr K. Rajapathy (Penang), Datuk R. Rajoo (Perak), Datuk R. Raghavan (Malacca) and Datuk K.S. Balakrishnan (Johor).

There has been a complete change in the assemblymen in Kedah (two), Perak (four), Johor (three), Malacca, Penang, Negri Sembilan and Selangor (one each).

Samy Vellu said the party was fielding professionals, including lawyers, teachers and party members who have actively served the Indian community.

He said he had advised candidates to visit their constituencies four times a week after they win the elections.

“I will also visit the constituency once a month with the elected representative, to find out the problems in the various districts in their area,” he said.

Samy Vellu expressed confidence that Indian voters would support MIC candidates and the Barisan Nasional in the election.

“The people have begun to realise that they need a representative in the Government. They know those who have instigated them with all sorts of promises can’t represent them,” he said.

He said he was confident because of the 780,000 Indian electorate, 530,000 were members of MIC.

“We know our members well and we have to convince the other 250,000,” he said.
On Nijhar, Samy Vellu said he had served two terms in the Senate, was the parliamentary secretary at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry for two terms and an MP for two terms.

On the chances of MIC securing a 100% victory this time, he said it was possible if everyone worked hard.

“We are working on three seats – Lunas in Kedah and Prai and Bagan Dalam in Penang – but the rest of the seats are no problem,” he said.

Quoted From
Thestar