Melaka MIC is confident of securing 80 per cent of the Indian votes here for the Barisan Nasional in the 14th general election.

State MIC committee member Datuk M.S Mahadevan based his confidence on the positive response received by the party from the Indian community to its various programmes and assistance aimed at improving the livelihood of the race.

"We have implemented many programmes and provided assistance in our effort to prioritise their welfare. We hope the Indian community in the state would open their eyes and see that all the aid they had been getting were given by the BN government.

"I hope they will not easily let themselves be instigated by irresponsible parties," he told reporters at his Deepavali open house here today.

Melaka Head of State Tun Dr Mohd Khalil Yaakob was among 2,000 guests at the celebration.

Mahadevan who is also state Companies, Human Resource and Non-governmental Organisation Affairs exco, said based on the latest records, there are 18,000 Indians, or six percent of Melaka's population. -- Bernama