Rama to know his fate next week

DAP's four-man selection committee, headed by Karpal Singh, to decide on deputy secretary general's candidature for GE13.

GEORGE TOWN: DAP’s four-man candidate selection committee will have the final say on the fate of party deputy secretary general P Ramasamy in the forthcoming general election.

The committee consist of party national chairman Karpal Singh, his deputy Tan Kok Wai, secretary general Lim Guan Eng and his father Kit Siang.

Although respective states’ selection committee candidacy list would be given fair consideration, Karpal said that the four-man committee would decide on contentious individual candidature and seats.

“We will hold few more meetings and decide on all candidates, including Ramasamy, in batches. It will all be cleared on the eve of nomination day,” he told newsmen in Air Itam here today.

Ramasamy is incumbent for Batu Kawan parliamentary and Prai state seats in Penang.

It’s learnt that Ramasamy candidature is in a precarious situation due to his open conflict with Karpal and party grassroots members.

Penang members have submitted numerous letters to the top leadership, the latest by Jalan Tembikai branch chairman K Gunabalan, to kick out Ramasamy from Penang altogether.

One man-one seat formula
Many are even contemplating contesting as independents and campaigning against Ramasamy if he is fielded anywhere in Penang. It’s learnt that some members may even resign en bloc from the party.

In his letter dated April 3, submitted to Karpal, Guan Eng and state party chief Chow Kon Yeow,  Gunabalan alleged that Ramasamy was the hidden hand behind the open protests by some DAP members and outsiders against Karpal during the state party convention in December 2010.

Karpal said the DAP’s four-man election committee would uphold the one man-one seat formula, only applying it to one or two candidates for strategic reasons. He said it would be counterproductive if the party overloaded a person with work.

Moreover, Karpal said the DAP now had enough talented candidates to fulfill the needs and demands of the people.

“Overworked representatives cannot produce good results. Ultimately the party will have to adopt the one man-one seat formula. Why not sooner than later?” he asked.

Referring to the Sungai Acheh state seat tussle between PKR and PAS, he called on Pakatan Rakyat allies to avoid three-cornered fights with Barisan Nasional.

He said any conflicts among DAP, PKR and PAS over seats should be resolved amicably to enable Pakatan to field only one candidate against BN.

“All Pakatan partners must compromise and be prepared to make sacrifices,” said Karpal.