Is Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak dealing with the original Makkal Sakti movement or a mere replacement? This is among the questions posed by MIC deputy president G Palanivel.

NONE He was responding to the premier's decision to officiate the launching of the Indian-based Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party (MMSP) yesterday, a move which has ruffled feathers in MIC.

In a posting on his blog today, Palanivel also noted that it was unfair to make MIC the scapegoat for Barisan Nasional's dismal performance in the last general election.

"MIC is not a new baby like Makkal Sakti. It is a 63-year-old party that was born in a Hindu temple. It was created out of an intense fire and the fire still burns in the heart of every MIC member.

"MIC was born out of nationalism and is a party that was a signatory to the Merdeka Agreement," he said.

Palanivel said Indians have an emotional link with the party, and quoted Tunku Abdul Rahman who once said that even if there was only one Indian in MIC, he would only talk to MIC.

"Unfortunately we no longer live in the era of leaders like the Tunku," he added.

What about Kelantan?

In the last general election, Palanivel said, Makkal Sakti supporters carried PAS flags and wrapped their bodies with PAS banners while PAS members uttered the words 'makkal sakthi' like a mantra.

NONE "Now it seems BN leaders are giving it a go. They have begun chanting the mantra. Is BN even dealing with the original makkal sakthi phenomenon? Or are they dealing with a replacement?" he asked.

As for the criticisms against MIC, the deputy president said: "May I say that we are only a minority and how can we alone bring the fall of the strong BN governments in Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor? Are we also responsible for the PAS victory again and again in Kelantan?"

"In the last general election there was an across the board multi-racial anger against BN, so it is unfair to make MIC the scapegoat," he added.

Palanivel also said the Bagan Pinang by-election campaign proved to Umno who is indeed the real 'sakthi'.

"I have been going for the Bagan Pinang campaigns and I am sure Umno will know who the real workers on the ground are.

"Deputy Prime Minister Muhiydin Yassin saw for himself the work of MIC at the Sua Betong estate and who the real 'sakthi' is," he added.

Najib: It won't replace MIC

NONE In a related development, Najib said BN is always prepared to work with political parties which have confidence in the BN-led government.

Responding to reporters' queries whether Makkal Sakti would replace MIC, which had long been representing the Indian community in the country, Najib said, "I never said that Makkal Sakti is going to replace the MIC."

"What I'm trying to say is that we would like to cooperate with any political party, non-governmental organisation or individual who believes in the BN government," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Makkal Sakti, or "people's power" in Tamil, has 50,000 members. Headed by RS Thanenthirran, the party, which was formed three months ago has targeted 100,000 members by end of the year.

A slap in the face for MIC