PETALING JAYA: MIC has thrown down the gauntlet over its traditional Sungai Siput seat, telling Umno to back off or be prepared for a showdown.
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Its vice-president Datuk C. Sivarraajh (pic) said MIC will quit Barisan Nasional if the party is not respected as a coalition partner.
Not mincing his words, he also urged Umno leaders not to be arrogant.
“Our loyalty has its limits. If Umno is so confident, then it should contest GE15 (the 15th General Election) using its own logo.
“Stop asking to contest all the seats as if you can win them all. Umno’s top leadership needs to learn to respect its component partners.
“If they feel Umno is strong enough and does not need the support of its component partners, then there is no need for the party to contest under Barisan in GE15, ” he said in a statement yesterday.
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Sivarraajh was responding to Sungai Siput Puteri Umno chief Norazura Abdul Karim, who urged MIC to allow Umno to contest the parliamentary seat it has lost in the past three elections.
Irked by her remarks, he pointed out that Sungai Siput was traditionally an MIC seat, reserved for the party’s president.
“I would like to remind Umno’s top leadership to stop resorting to such tactics. If you are not happy with MIC, then speak to us frankly.
“There is no need to send a representative to talk about matters involving the affairs of the Barisan supreme council, ’’ he said.
Sungai Siput was held by former MIC president Tun S. Samy Vellu from 1974 to 2008 and Tun VT Sambanthan from 1959 to 1974.-The Star