This contradicts MCA president Wee Ka Siong, who earlier said it was agreed his party would contest Batu after it “handed” the Padang Serai seat to MIC.

At a press conference, Vigneswaran said MIC was given 10 seats by Barisan Nasional -Sungai Siput, Tapah, Hulu Selangor, Teluk Intan, Kuala Langat, Port Dickson, Batu, Padang Serai, Segamat and Kota Raja.

“If Wee wants to say anything, he must say it to the BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“We will be contesting in Batu. That’s it. No swaps,” he said.

Earlier, Wee said it was confirmed that MCA would be contesting in Batu, adding that he had spoken to Zahid last night over the matter.

The MCA president said party vice-president Yew Teong Look will be standing in Batu.

However, Vigneswaran maintained that the decision on the seat was final and that any swaps had already been agreed upon during seat negotiations.

He said there was no time to change seats now as that would force the coalition to “go back to the drawing board”.

He pointed out that traditional MIC seats like Sungai Buloh were swapped with Umno because “it is the best thing to do”, adding that former Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin was a good candidate for the constituency.

“If it means BN can win more seats, then we will be accommodative. We cannot look at race,” he said.

He also welcomed “friends of BN”, who will be contesting in Nibong Tebal, Jelutong and Puchong for the coalition, saying MIC had agreed to their candidacies.

“As long as our seats aren’t affected, we’re fine with it,” he said.

Expressing gratitude to BN, he said MIC was happy with their seat allocation.

Yesterday, Vigneswaran said the emergency meeting was to decide if the party would accept or reject the seats offered to it or stay out of GE15.

Speculation grew when MIC leaders did not attend the announcement of BN’s list of candidates earlier.

“Today, MIC has decided that we will contest in GE15 and will work hard to win seats for BN,” Vigneswaran said, putting the rumours to rest.

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