KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA is likely to hold fresh party polls at the end of March, given that the feuding factions are now coming to terms to end the animosity.

The decision on the polls is expected to be made at the party's election committee meeting set for tomorrow (Monday). The committee was formed last week and is headed by MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek.

Sources said that the earlier the party polls are held, the better it is for the party - as the new leadership picked by delegates could then pursue the party's objectives without any hindrance.

They said the stumbling block right now towards having a fresh party poll is vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai's faction - who want the polls to be held by end of this year, but excluding the Youth and Wanita wings.

However, sources added that Liow seemed to have softened his stand and this has gone down well with the leadership plan to unite the party and regain the trust of its members.

They said Liow had met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Saturday night in Seremban during a function, but no one is talking about what was said or discussed.

"Whatever it is, we are confident things are on the right track now and tomorrow's meeting is expected to see an end to the feud.

"Monday's meeting will confirm the details for the polls as the date for the party election seems agreeable to all feuding factions," said the source.

The party feud began early this year when the party presidential council expelled Dr Chua, following the re-emergence of his 'sex' DVD issue.

Dr Chua and his followers then organised an extraordinary general assembly (EGM), which saw the delegates narrowly vote against Ong's leadership and reinstate Dr Chua as a member.

After Dr Chua's expulsion, the party central committee had appointed Liow as deputy president as his replacement.

Dr Chua wrote to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) for clarification after the EGM had reinstated his membership and the ROS replied that he was still the party's deputy president.

When the central committee followed the ROS decision, Liow disagreed and the feud took a different turn.