KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk S.K. Devamany is fighting several battles in the race for a MIC vice-presidency, including a smear campaign that has "Escape Devamani" as its tagline.
The wordplay on his initials is meant to tell members that he "escapes" from meeting delegates to the party general assembly on Sept 12 before they can grill him on thorny issues or ask for favours.
"This is character assassination. Escape from what? Am I shying away from my responsibilities or is my performance as deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department not good enough?"
"The people using this against me are hitting below the belt. Only desperate people would do that. Let us not go to that level. Let me stay above it," he said in an interview.
The Cameron Highlands member of parliament said he was not averse to discussing any topic involving Indians as could be seen during the Hindraf and A. Kugan controversies, but drew the line when it came to caste.
"This is one subject I am not comfortable with. There is no room for caste politics in the party," he said, adding that he was not apologising for staying away from the issue of caste.
He said Indians should avoid the taboo subject, adding that he would not be drawn into it.
"I hope Indians in the country stay united and avoid such issues which are destructive to the community. Let us be a 1Indian community in 1Malaysia."
He said although caste politics had not reached a serious stage, the matter had to be handled delicately.
Devamany is among the three candidates endorsed by party chief Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu for the three vice-presidential slots.
The others on the official list are party secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam and information chief Datuk M. Saravanan.
Asked why delegates should vote for him, Devamany said he was a grassroots leader with a good track record who understood the heartbeat of the people.
"I've been championing Indians in the Economic Planning Unit. I'm a fighter, I even got into trouble because of Hindraf and Kugan."
He said being on Samy Vellu's endorsed list, a deputy minister and a MP helped in his campaign as doors opened wherever he went.
On speculation that either he or Saravanan might be a casualty in the elections, he said such talk was normal during party elections.
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