Palani plots to keep his post

Palanivel is apparently making his moves to ensure that he remains the MIC president for another term by plotting a 'no contest' resolution.

PETALING JAYA: Selangor MIC will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow to pass a resolution calling for a ‘no contest’ for the party’s top post in the upcoming MIC elections.

Sources revealed that party president G Palanivel, who is also the state MIC chief, had directed all state office-bearers to pass the resolution sensing that he would be challenged at the party’s presidential election slated for later this year.

“Palanivel is taking a preemptive measure to ensure he remains the president after the presidential election. The meeting is called so that the Selangor MIC can come up with a resolution wanting a no-contest for the party top post.

“Palanivel knows that there are leaders who would definitely take him on in the election. He tried postponing the polls but this did not materialize. Now he has resorted to this. The president fears losing the top post,” said the source.

Party insiders also claimed that Palanivel has been asking leaders to issue statements in Tamil dailies supporting him and asking him to continue as the top-man in the party.

The MIC presidential election is long overdue and must be held as soon as possible as the term of the current president has expired.

MIC held its presidential election in March, 2009, and four years have passed, although it is only a three-year term.

MIC has a unique system where the presidential election is held three months before the polling for other national positions in the party.

Elections for the posts of deputy president, three vice-presidents and 25 central working committee members can only be held after the presidential election. Before this the party must hold elections at branch and division levels.

The party’s internal election process, like all other peninsular based Barisan Nasional component parties, came to a standstill due to the 13th general election.

The presidential election should have been held in 2012 but was postponed due to the general election.

In the March 2009 presidential election, then party supremo S Samy Vellu retained the presidency for a record 11th consecutive term. He won the top post uncontested.

Under the party constitution, a presidential aspirant needs to obtain 50 nominations, with each nomination needing one proposer and five seconders, to be eligible to contest. All proposers and seconders must be branch chairmen.

The MIC president would be picked by about 3,700 branch chairmen nationwide in the event of a contest compared to other top national posts which are decided by some 1,500 divisional delegates who attend the party’s annual general assembly.

The new challengers

Samy Vellu, who was works minister before his defeat in the 2008 general election in his parliamentary constituency of Sungai Siput, had been at the helm of the largest Indian-based political party since 1979, when he became the acting president after the death of then president V Manikavasagam.

He stepped down in December, 2010, paving the way for current chief Palanivel to become MIC’s acting president.

Since the last presidential election was in March 2009 and the current term came to an end in March 2012, Palanivel’s detractors claimed that he is now the “illegitimate” leader of the party.

The date of the election can only be extended by the central working committee, the party’s highest decision making body.

Even if this is done, the presidential election must be held by September this year.

Speculation is rife that party deputy president Dr S Subramaniam and vice-president M Saravanan are eyeing the party top post in the upcoming presidential polls.

“While Subramanian is a natural choice to fight the top post, many in the party feel Saravanan can bring a breath of fresh air to the party. He is a proven leader, young, able to connect with young voters.

“Saravanan and Subramaniam are also prominently given coverage by the Tamil papers. Palanivel knows that both are threats to his position.

“This matter is further complicated by Samy Vellu who has sent out feelers with the intention of contesting the MIC top post.

“Samy Vellu feels let down by Palanivel. He wanted the party to be vibrant and lively but this has not happened. If Samy Vellu does not contest and throws his support for either Subramaniam or Saravanan, then Palanivel will surely lose. Samy Vellu still commands at least 45% support from grassroot leaders,” said the source.