MIC is becoming a self-interest party from top to bottom and therefore change is vital, said party vice-presidential aspirant M Muthuplaniappan today.

Speaking to Bernama , the veteran leader said MIC needs to be more democratic and transparent with a united leadership to propel the Indian Malaysian socio-economic agenda.

According to him, the community's grassroots wanted to see a more dynamic and stronger MIC to continue with the current social engineering programmes introduced by the current leadership.

"There is a wave of change to see complete transparency and the democratic process practised in the party, a change where members and leaders can carry out their duties without fear or favour or any form of suppression," he said.

The 65-year-old lawyer-turned-politician is one of the seven leaders vying for the three vice-president's seats in the party polls set for June 24.

The other six are incumbents S Veerasingham and KS Nijhar, secretary-general S Sothinathan, Kuala Lumpur MIC chief VKK Teagarajan, former Sri Rusa state assemblyperson E Yohevel and Alex Thiagarasan from Shah Alam.

Veerasingham, Nijhar and Sothinathan are the president's "preferred" candidates for the vice-president positions.

Lost touch

Stressing further on the need for change, Muthupalaniappan said: "The party is becoming a self-interest party, from branch to the top level. There should be a change. Unfortunately, more branch leaders do not have the communication or contact with the grassroots."

"Unfortunately, they have lost touch. Branch leaders should keep in touch with ordinary members, it is very important for the party to fulfil the needs of the community," added the leader who has been with MIC for 37 years.

He was elected vice-president for 1997-2000, coming in second among the five candidates who contested the post then.

In that election G Palanivel, who is party president Samy Vellu's chosen candidate for deputy president, came in first with 998 votes.

This time around Palanivel will be taking on incumbent S Subramaniam for the No 2 position, which is being touted as a decisive battle for the latter, whose ties with the president have long been strained.

Once a close ally of Samy Vellu, Muthupalaniappan had served in the party's central working committee for 21 years. He fell out of favour with the president and was not given a seat to contest in the 1999 general election.

"I was always side-tracked and discouraged to work and was not given any task at any committee level. I won (the vice-president's post) against all odds," he said.

Asked about his chances in the coming contest, an optimistic Muthupalaniappan replied: "Vey good based on the response I get wherever I go".

Should he win, the party veteran would have to work with some of his rivals but this does not deter him.

"I can work with anyone, I'm a team player. I support leaders who can contribute and improve the interest of the Indian community.

"I won't be a party to anybody who suppresses the community using under-hand tactics," he added.