KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu slammed an SMS poll which pits the popularity of two leaders for the party's No. 2.

He said only leaders who lack influence, credibility and strength within the Indian community and the party would attempt to gauge their support or popularity through SMS polls.

The real test of strength and popularity of a leader would come from the party members and delegates, he said when responding to the poll being conducted by a Tamil magazine and an NGO.

"Only those who have not gained popularity through their services and dedication to the people would seek shortcut popularity via SMS through their parasites," he told Bernama.

The poll by the Malaysian Public Service Association (PPRM) and Nayagan Bimonthly Magazine is to gauge the popularity of incumbent MIC deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam and his nearest challenger, Datuk G. Palanivel, for the No. 2 post.

Samy Vellu said aspiring candidates in the June 24 MIC elections would "soon learn a lesson that they can only secure positions in the MIC through hard work and through the democratic process, and not through some cheap and bankrupt means".

"I have great confidence in the wisdom of the MIC delegates. They are wise enough to understand follies," Samy Vellu said.

PPRM president P. Gunaseelan had said that the poll on "Who is the Favourable Candidate For the Post of MIC deputy president," would see people voting for either Subramaniam or Palanivel.

Palanivel, the deputy women, family and community development minister, is Samy Vellu's preferred choice for the deputy president's post.

In Ipoh, Sungai Pari MIC branch chairman A. Iruthiyam Sebastiar lodged a report at the Kampung Baru police station in Buntong calling on the police to investigate and put a stop to the SMS poll.

He said the poll was profitmotivated and MIC members were insulted because the organisers had made a mockery of the party elections.

"Party elections are a serious matter, not a popularity poll for singers, actors or songs. The SMS poll is not relevant to party affairs," he said, adding that copies of the report had been faxed to the Prime Minister's Office, Internal Security Ministry, Bukit Aman and the Perak MIC chairman.