Indian parties MIC-MIUP merger on the cards?

Indian-based parties MIC and MIUP are involved in talks for a possible merger for the sake of the community, it is reliably learnt.

Sources close to the talks told Malaysiakini that the both the parties are keen to forge a merger so that they can consolidate their efforts and resources in regaining the support of the Indian community.

"Talks have been ongoing at the highest level, involving both the presidents of the parties," said a source who refused to be identified.

"The respective presidents have met a couple of times after the March 8 general election and they both generally agree with the idea of merging the two parties," added the source.

MIC has been helmed since 1979 by S Samy Vellu while MIUP – or in full the Malaysian Indian United Party – is led by businessman KS Nallakaruppan who formed the party last year after leading a splinter group out of PKR.

It is learnt that the proposal for the merger was mooted by a high-level Umno leader who impressed upon both party presidents on the need for them to be united in the face of the strong threat posed by the opposition in attracting Indian voters.

In the last general election, Indian voters who for long had been Barisan Nasional loyalist ditched the coalition to support the opposition.

As a result MIC, which proudly proclaimed to be the Indian representative in the BN government, was totally swept - with even its president Samy Vellu being defeated in his own turf of Sungai Siput.

From having a perfect record, MIC managed to win only three parliamentary seats from nine contested and seven state seats from 19.

Among the main reasons for the community’s desertion of BN was due to policies which were seen to be sidelining the community. Apart from that temple demolitions and the inability of the MIC to be a strong voice in the government also contributed in them switching sides.

Talks at initial stage

As for MIUP, the fledgling party has thrown its support behind BN after Nallakaruppan’s very public fall-out with PKR’s Anwar Ibrahim.

Nallakaruppan campaigned for the BN during the general election and is waiting for approval to join the coalition as a partner.

"Samy Vellu and Nallakaruppan are also good friends. They go back a long way. And Nallakaruppan was a former MIC Youth leader. They have initiated talks on the merger," said the source.

However he was quick to add that the talks between Samy Vellu and Nallakaruppan were still at the initial stage and that the matter has not been tabled for discussion among the respective party leadership.

He added that the merger, if it works out, would be good for both the parties, as well for the community as well.

MIC has a membership of about 600,000 while MIUP claims a membership of about 50,000.

"If they can work together in getting their own members to come back to support BN, then it is already a good start," added the source.

Open to cooperation

When contacted, Nallakaruppan refused to comment on the merger plan. However he said that his party was willing to work with anyone in BN for the sake of uplifting the community.

"MIC, Gerakan, PPP, anyone…we are ready to work with them to make BN strong again," he said.

Samy Vellu could not be contacted but MIC information chief M Saravanan (right) said he had not heard of any such talks involving the president.

"We at the party are not aware of it. Maybe it’s very unofficial and made in passing between the president and someone from there," he said.

He also said that while MIC was open to cooperate with anyone for the sake of the community, he doesn’t see MIUP leadership agreeing to be absorbed into MIC if such a merger takes place.