Subramaniam: Cast out 'caste' politics in MIC

SERDANG: MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam has cast out caste politics in the party.
Speaking to the press at the 67th MIC Annual General Meeting (AGM) here he admonished caste politics by saying that it is history and has no place in the party.
Subramaniam said that people will create the impression of caste politics to show that it is still in the party.
"There are those who harp on the issue to win votes, but they all failed and this goes to show that the delegates are more mature now... On principle, we reject caste politics," he said.
He was responding to a comment by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak who officiated the party AGM earlier on.
Najib called on the new MIC leadership not to reject others from the party just because they are not in the same camp and "caste".
Najib called for the MIC leaders to expel caste politics and to be united in serving the Indian community and the Barisan Nasional party in the coming general election.
"MIC must reflect good governance and fair practice. What does it mean? It means that you must be magnanimous. You must have big hearts to welcome those who won and those who didn't win," the prime minister said.
He said the party has to be able to unite all Indians, regardless of the individual's caste.
"Do not reject them just because they are of different caste or not in our camp. We have to embrace them," said Najib, adding that Malaysian Indians are not migrants.
"But if you exclude them (of different caste) then you cannot be upset if they exclude you."
Dr. Subramaniam gave assurance that the door would be open for all MIC members and they would be given the opportunity to contribute, as that would only strengthen MIC.
"We will give opportunity to all, including those who did not win," he said.
At the same time, he noted that many of the leaders elected into the party's Central Working Committee (CWC) are young people and first-timers.
He said this bodes well for MIC as it would bring much needed vigour to the party to stay relevant.
He added that MIC takes the word "transformation" seriously as it meant a lot to the party.
"The future of the party will depend on its relationship with the community. If not, we will become irrelevant," he said, in reference to the call by Najib.
Subramaniam also congratulated Perak state assembly Speaker Datuk Seri S.K. Devamany for being elected as party number two, beating Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk M. Saravanan to the post.
"I never had any preference for the winners and I maintain the neutrality until the last moment," said Subramaniam.