Palani drops Vell Paari, strengthens position

However, the son of former party supremo S Samy Vellu says he was not made aware of the decision by the MIC president

FULL REPORT

PETALING JAYA:  MIC president G Palanivel today dropped S Vell Paari from the party’s central working committee (CWC). Also dropped was MIC Puteri chief J Usha Nandhini.

However, Usha Nandhini will continue to sit as an observer in the CWC proceedings in her capacity as MIC Puteri chief.

In a statement, Palanivel thanked Vell Paari for his services to the party but did not provide details on why the latter was removed from the CWC. Vell Paari was also the party’s strategic director.

The decision by Palanivel has fueled speculation that all is not well leading to the party polls come end of the year.

The move may now trigger a clash between Palanivel and Vell Paari’s father, former party president S Samy Vellu who still commands wide support from the party’s branch leaders.

In an immediate response to the removal, Vell Paari said: “I don’t know. They said they have replaced me, but nobody has called me or told me anything.

He added that he also failed to get confirmation on his removal from party secretary-general A Sakthivel.

“I have even called up the secretary-general and he said he was not aware (as well),” he added.

However, Vell Paari said he was “unperturbed” by the sacking, and vowed to “stay on track”.  He also said that he would be contesting for the vice-president’s post in the party polls.

“As far as I am concerned, in politics, this is normal. I am not perturbed or disturbed that I have been replaced,” he said.

When contacted, Sakthivel said he was not privy to the matter as he is on medical leave at the moment.

Vell Paari and Usha will be replaced by former vice president S Sothinathan and S Sunther, who is the son of former deputy president S Subramaniam.

Palani’s running mate
When contacted, Sunther said he has not received an official letter on his appointment.

“If it is true, then I’m very thankful. There’s a lot of work to be done within the party and on the ground.

“This appointment will allow me to further contribute towards the party and the community,” he said.

His appointment to the CWC would also allow Palanivel to tap into Subramaniam’s support base in his fight to retain the presidency in party polls on Sept 22. Present deputy Dr S Subramaniam is expected to challenge Palanivel for the top post.

It is also learnt that Sothinathan will be Palanivel’s running mate, taking on current vice president M Saravanan for the deputy’s post.

Vell Paari’s removal is believed to be related to his criticism leveled at the party on various issues. He has always been vocal about the party and its leadership being slow in reacting to issues affecting the Indian community.

Most recently he was accused of calling for an emergency CWC meeting to discuss the leadership’s weaknesses.

Usha Nanthini is a known Samy Vellu loyalist, and is the latest to be removed from her position by Palanivel. In recent weeks, Palanivel had replaced several state leaders aligned to Samy Vellu.

Palanivel meanwhile told FMT that the changes in the party were done so that the party can move forward.

“We cannot remain in the past,” he said.