N. Gobalakrishnan, who won the Padang Serai parliamentary seat for the PKR in 2008 and then became an independent MP, wants the Barisan Nasional (BN) to field him as its candidate for Padang Serai in the 13th General Election.

The president of Perkemas, a non-governmental organisation, claimed today that he had been working hard in the constituency over the past three years.

"After I quit PKR, I drew up various programmes for the benefit of the people in the Lunas and Paya Besar areas. Many constituents who were with the opposition at one time have begun to support the BN," he told a news conference in Paya Besar, here.

Gobalakrishnan said he wanted to defend the seat he had won on a PKR ticket but if that could not take place he hoped that his wife, M. Vasanthi, could be the alternative candidate.

"I am most confident of retaining the seat because I know that I have worked hard for the constituents," he said, adding that he would be able to defeat the PKR vice-president, N. Surendran, who is to be fielded there.