KUALA LUMPUR: MIC deputy president has brushed off allegations that the upcoming 15th general election (GE15) would interrupt the upcoming Deepavali festival.
Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said the allegations were merely a 'political drama' as the Election Commission (EC) meeting would only be held on Oct 20.
"Deepavali is on Oct 24, which means that there won't be an election during the Deepavali week.
"There is no issue of the election being held during that week, if they (EC) have completed the meeting, then only we can decide on the potential candidates two weeks after that.
"At least we have a two to three weeks buffer before the election date is announced," he told reporters after launching the Employee Accommodation and Facility Supervisor Programme today.
Last week, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the dissolution of Parliament to pave the way for GE15 is disrespectful to the Indian community who will be celebrating Deepavali.
The Seremban member of parliament said the selection of the GE15 date should consider the sensitivities of all races.
He added, for example, Sabah and Sarawak will not hold state elections during the Gawai festival.
Saravanan added that he had also proposed to the caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Yaakob to grant replacement leave for teachers in Tamil schools for the upcoming election.
"I had requested this to the Caretaker Prime Minister after listening to the teachers' request that the government should consider allowing them to get replacement leave or be given an extra one off day to make way for the election," said the Tapah Parliament member.