Mohana Muniandy is new Wanita MIC Chief

MIC central working committee (CWC) member Mohana Muniandy has been elected Wanita chief, following the wing's party polls here today.

She won by a 178-vote majority in a straight fight with national women's secretary M. Vickneswari. Mohana garnered 344 votes while Vickneswari received 166 votes.

The results were announced by the party's Deputy Election Steering Committee chairman Tan Sri S. Kumaran at 6.30pm.

The post of Wanita deputy chief went to Tapah division women's wing leader P. Prema who obtained 354 votes. She defeated Pagoh division Wanita chief K. Nirmala who secured 159 votes.

Mohana's team also swept clean all posts contested today, namely two CWC, 12 national women council and 35 delegates for the MIC General Assembly on Nov 30, in Melaka.

About 560 delegates voted at this election.

At a press conference after the results were announced, Mohana, 37, a lecturer by profession, believed her victory was due to the demand for a young leader to lead Wanita MIC members.

"I will fulfill my promises, among others, to create business opportunities for Indian women and bring awareness to political literacy. I will bring vast changes to strengthen Indian women in the party, as well as Barisan Nasional," she told reporters after her victory was announced.

Celebrating her victory with tears of joy with her family and supporters, Mohana said she was determined to increase membership in Wanita MIC to strengthen the wing, and would encourage more women to join, as well.

She also thanked MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel and the women delegates for trusting and choosing her to lead the wing.