Vell Paari to run for MIC VP post

Sacked MIC central working committee member S Vell Paari says he will run for vice-president in upcoming party polls.

PETALING JAYA: Barely an hour after he was dropped from the MIC’s central working committee (CWC), S Vell Paari vowed to run for the vice-president post in the party’s upcoming polls this year.

The son of former party supremo S Samy Vellu was today dropped from the party’s CWC by president G Palanivel, fueling speculation that all is not well hence, spurring the party polls end of the year.

However, Vell Paari said he was “unperturbed” by his departure from CWC and vowed to “stay on track.”

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

“I have certain directions and I will follow my route. Nothing will derail me from it. My goal is fixed and I am going for the vice-president post in the party,” he added.

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

Also dropped from the CWC was MIC Puteri chief J Usha Nandhini.

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

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 departure is believed to be related to his criticism leveled against 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.

Recently, he was accused of calling for an emergency CWC meeting to discuss the party leadership weaknesses.