Murugesan not contesting in GE13

The MIC secretary general, it learnt, would be entrusted with the task of boosting the party's election machinery

PETALING JAYA: MIC secretary general S Murugesan will not be contesting in the upcoming 13th General Election.

Speculation is rife that the young leader in the largest Indian based party in the country has opted out of the race to focus of party matters and strengthening the MIC.

Murugesan was MIC’s candidate to contest under the BN banner for the Subang parliamentary constituency in the 2008 general election, which he lost.

Nominations for the general election has been fixed for April 20 while polling would be on May 5.

Party insiders reveal Murugesan decided not to contest, despite the party leadership pushing for him to fight the Kapar or Kota Raja parliamentary seats in Selangor.

“He wants to focus on the MIC election machinery in the upcoming election to ensure a landslide win for the party,” said a MIC source.

Murugessan who was a debutant in the 2008 election was defeated by PKR’s R Sivarasah in Subang by a majority of 6,700 votes.

He was later appointed as the Subang constituency BN coordinator.

“It is a do or die battle (election) for the MIC. Murugesan wants to concentrate on the party machinery. This will allow him to move all over the country to campaign for the party.

“Murugessan has a good reputation among party grassroot leaders. So, he can convince members who are upset with party decisions on certain matters,” said the source.

Murugesan remained tight-lipped on the matter when contacted.

“I’m not the right person to reveal if I would contest or otherwise. It is the president’s call. Let him make the announcements at the right time. As the party secretary-general it is my duty to monitor all MIC seats,” he added.

Queried on who will replace Murugesan in Subang, the party source said MIC Shah Alam division deputy chairman A Prakash Rao has been tipped to fight the parliamentary constituency.

The insider also indicated that MIC may field D Ravindran of Pemandu in Kapar. However, the party has yet to finalise its candidate for Kota Raja.

Palanivel is expected to announce MIC’s list of candidates early next week.