Palanivel should invite us, says sacked MIC man

File photo of Datuk G. Palanivel

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 - Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) founder V. Mugilan urged newly-installed MIC president Datuk G. Palanivel today to prove his worth by inviting all members his predecessor had removed back into the party’s fold.

The former MIC Youth deputy chief claimed to The Malaysian Insider this morning that during Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu’s three-decade reign, the powerful leader had removed, both directly and indirectly, at least 100,000 members.

He added that the time was ripe for Palanivel to prove his capabilities by engaging with all members of the Indian community in order to return some shine to the party.

“It is important that Palanivel, as a new president, take the bull by its horns and open MIC’s doors to all.

“Do not sideline anyone and always remember that we are all still party members in our heart,” he said when contacted.

MIC suffered greatly during Elections 2008 and nearly saw a complete wipeout of its parliamentary representation when a large portion of the Indian community voted against Barisan Nasional.

“That is why Palanivel should not ignore us. He should push for greater unity so we can help BN in the next election,” said Mugilan.

He added however that he had yet to appeal for an invitation to rejoin the party from the former Hulu Selangor MP as he wanted to give the latter some time to perform as a president.

“Most of us are just taking a step back to give Palanivel time to prove himself.

“But it does not mean that we do not want to rejoin MIC. I will always be a Barisan Nasional man at heart,” he said.

He added however that if Palanivel extended an invitation to him, he would gladly accept it for the sake of closing ranks and revitalising the party.

“I have confidence in Palanivel as our leader. He is a very democratic man”.

“I worked with him for many years in the past and it was he who introduced me to politics,” he said.

Mugilan, along with two MIC Central Working Committee members, were summarily expelled from the party by Samy Vellu after they pushed for his early retirement earlier this year.

The group then founded the GAS movement and staged two rallies to show their grievances against the party leader.

Their subsequent attempts to appeal their expulsion were rejected. - Malaysian Insider