The holding of separate party elections by the two rival factions of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) has more to do with political power jugglery.

The recent aggression, polarised politics, hate mongering and fighting between members while may not be the trademark of the MIC but the MIC seems never to outgrow them. Some say its immaturity and intolerance that appear to have placed harmony and dialogue under serious threat and has brought and caused shame.

The Barisan Nasional leadership remarked, “Do what you want to do but if later the party splits and has issues and disputes, don’t blame us”. Moreover, the current fiasco has betrayed the very members whose interests it claims to protect and on whose loyalties it has grown.

The home minister said, “Be fair to your followers and the Indian community. Let the party be led by those who are qualified and chosen by the party members. How are you going to solve issues pertaining to the indian community if you can’t even solve your party’s issues.”

In a quest to safeguard and protect the eroding image of the MIC it somewhat became necessary for the Barisan Nasional to interfere to resolve the party’s crisis before matters went out of control but the effort was not so successful despite urgings by the prime minister for introspection. Actually the deepening crisis has seriously ignored the bigger picture for the sake of the Indian community.

It is an indisputed fact that the MIC is a key component of the coalition representing the ethnic Indian community comprising some 10 percent (10 percent) of the 30 milion population. But the party is unable and/or struggling to consolidate its position thus throwing up a plethora of issues that required urgent and immediate attention.

While every form of dissent within the party must be welcomed and carefully considered and addressed but let us not forget for the last 30 years the MIC has not mounted any substantial challenge to any policies of the government and has failed to consider the many legitimate grievances of the indian community.

This, coupled with the recent leadership tussle, seems to suggest that the MIC is not capable of causing or creating any significant impact in the coming 14th general election.

Many Indians today have lost their trust in the party and this are not perceptions that can easily be changed or overcome consequently many loyal supporters fear the MIC might not win enough seats in Parliament to lengthen its life and the current rival political combinations has in many ways now attributed considerably to that fear.

Additionally, all rival members appear not keen on a true reconciliation process and they failed to understand the gravity of the situation. This pathetic conditions in the MIC is a recurring problem which has now given rise to a glim future and uncertainties and the continuity of the party is questionable and the rebranding and transformation process of the party was nothing but a huge flop.

Many feel that the MIC today have lost their moral rights to represent the indian community and they now seem a stumbling block and a hindrance to the general progress of the indian community and it is a political vehicle without any ideology.

Merely looking after the vested interests of another may not be useful and beneficial to the community. They must now measure their steps carefully if they desire to remain relevant or otherwise they are most certain to become a redundant political party before the 14th general election.

R KENGADHARAN is a lawyer and an ex-ISA detainee.