DAP and MIC entered a war of words today, with both sides blaming each other for the fracas during the Machap nomination on Tuesday.

MIC Youth chief S Vigneswaran was adamant that MIC brigade members, identifiable in their blue yellow uniforms, did not start the fights.

"Not only did DAP provoke people, they were the ones who started the fight," he told malaysiakini in Parliament today.

Vigneswaran, who is also parliament secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Ministry, said a small group of men had provoked several MIC brigades: "What do you do when someone [gesticulates by] pointing a gun at your head, saying that they'll kill your leader [MIC president Samy Vellu]. What do you do when they curse and talk about your mother, your sister."

Vignesawaran said that the group of men had made the provocation "not knowing that there were more brigades behind."

During a press conference, Vigneswaran told reporters that DAP was "using the lowest kind of politics."

"Opposition can say anything they want. We in the government have to keep in line," he said.

He also said a police report would be lodged in Machap today against several DAP leaders "and several men who provoked and started the fights."

Five reports lodged

On why he did not make an official statement until two days after the fracas, Vigneswaran said he was getting party affairs in order and was collecting information on the fracas.

"We want the police to complete their investigation. There were 500 brigade members to manage. People were getting on buses and heading here and there. It takes time to get information," he said.

He denied having carried weapons and said he was not present for any of the scuffles: "What did I do wrong? I was there only after DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng," adding that the party has lodged five reports against DAP to the Election Commission.

Vigneswaran singled out one of the complainants, a K Kanis as the lead "troublemaker."

"In Lunas, where Keadilan wanted to stop a bus and burn it, he was there," he said, adding that he was certain K Kanis was not a DAP member.

"You see these pictures? Are they DAP members? These are all PKR members," he said, pointing at pictures of Opposition supporters that were distributed among reporters.

"They're trying to get the Indian votes. DAP main pandai ," he said.

Siva dares Vicki

Meanwhile, DAP legal bureau chief A Sivanesan called Vigneswaran a "liar" and challenged him to prove that Kanis was not a DAP member.

"He is a liar, and you can quote me on this. I challenge him to prove that Kanis is not from DAP. If he can, then I will resign from my posts in DAP. If he can't, then he should resign as parliamentary secretary," he told a press conference.

He said the party would be writing to IGP Musa Hassan urging serious investigation to be carried out.

Sivanesan, who is legal counsel to the four victims, claimed those wearing the MIC brigade uniform were not from MIC.

"Vigneswaran was there. So was Senator Rawi[sandran Narayanan]. Vigneswaran was the cause of the fight," he said.

He said investigation by the police should have been under Section 326 of the Penal Code for causing grievous bodily harm where the maximum penalty was 20 years jail.

"There was blood spilled. Instead they investigated the case under Section 323 (for assault) and the police finally classified the case as rioting. It is rioting when two groups are causing public fear, but we have one group fought another.

"It was an organised attack," he said, adding that a blood stained MIC flag which was used in the attack, is to be handed in as evidence.