Now that Machap is over, all eyes will quickly turn to the April 28 by-election in Ijok.

The by-election, called following the death of MIC state assemblyman K Sivalingam last week, will likely see MIC attempting to retain the seat against a resurgent Parti Keadilan Rakyat led by party advisor Anwar Ibrahim.

The former deputy prime minister announced that he will lead PKR into the Ijok campaign, sending shivers down the establishment's spine as they cope with dealing with the former BN superstar.

MIC has not forgotten Lunas.

In the 2000 by-election, PKR's Saifuddin Nasution won by a razor-thin margin of 530 votes. A combination of factors had generated a tidal swing of 5,000-odd votes in the mixed constituency with 44% Malay voters, 31% Chinese and 24% Indian.