Nammavarum vendam, Avargalum vendam, Matram mattum vendum!

The MIC elections due on the 12th of September appears to have taken a rather ugly twist, at least in the eyes of the media. Several newspapers have mentioned the existence of campaigning along caste lines, with the emergence of an alleged pressure group of supposedly lower castes, calling themselves Nammavar or 'Our People'. This group claims to have the support of hundreds of delegates, and has declared support for Datuk S. Subramaniam, former MIC Deputy President, to regain the post. They then refer to Dato' Seri Samy Vellu's team as Avargal or 'Them'. Ironically, this very group that seems to mobilize support along caste lines, claim they are trying to remove caste politics in the MIC. Their logic is beyond me.

In my relatively short time being associated with the MIC, I can tell you this much. I don't know what is in the minds of the party seniors, many of whom belong to a generation that is well past its sell-by date, but in the minds of the youth, the future leaders, there is no room for caste. Many among us do not even know what caste we belong to, let alone associate others along caste lines. We crave for one thing in the party. Change. We want to see the MIC rise again to be a force to be reckoned with, to be the voice of the Indian community. So to my beloved party seniors, if you can't improve the party, at least know when to stop burying it further!

The Malay Mail, two of its reporters at least, had a field day reporting on caste politics in the MIC. Both these individuals are no strangers to controversial reports and suspect ethics. Unfortunately, we can't blame them alone. MIC politics has given them that room to run us down.

I am not a voting delegate. However many people I know are. I will be there on the 12th, hoping that the results will signal a positive change. If it does not, I fear the MIC may drown beyond rescue. The party president may have given a list of his preferred candidates. I have the utmost respect for him. I understand his reason of wanting people he can work with. Ultimately the decision is in the hands of the delegates. In the race for deputy president, whether they vote the president's choice, his opponent's choice, or a neutral candidate promising genuine change, is up to them, and up to them only. I trust the delegates know the urgency of the situation. If they still do not, than all is lost before it even begins! Believe in Change, Vote for Change!

P.S. The title, in Romanized Tamil, can be translated as 'No to Our People, No to Them, Yes to Change!'

MIC Election Season

It's election time in the MIC. A time of heightened anxiety and activity, not to mention politicking and campaigning. The nominations for the Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings were concluded successfully this morning. I wish all the contestants the best, and hope you will all maintain a sense of decorum throughout the campaign period. Let us not forget that the MIC is one big family. While we can compete and contest, within the frame of democracy, the unity of the party members must always be of paramount importance.

I shall focus on the youth wing in this post, one that I have the most familiarity with, among the three. T. Mohan, the current youth coordinator is going for the National Youth Chief post. He is being challenged by one SP Muthuveloo, a lawyer. Having known Mohan for some time, and knowing of him even longer, he has my undivided support. Without taking anything away from Mr. Muthuveloo, in my opinion, T. Mohan has done way more than any other youth leader for the community, especially during his stint as the head of the Social Welfare Bureau. He has raised millions for worthy causes, and has touched the lives of thousands who were in dire need of assistance. I sincerely hope the delegates feel the same way, vote for him, and give him a strong mandate to steer the youth wing forward. I am confident he will make an excellent youth leader, perhaps the best in recent times!

The AGM for the Youth, Wanita, Puteri and Putera will be on next Sunday, and we will all know the results then. The excitement however, is only set to increase several notches from then on, as the nominations for the main MIC posts will be on the 22nd. Many leaders have expressed their intentions to go for various posts, so let's wait and see what comes. Whatever it is, exciting times ahead for the MIC.