Palani to meet party leaders to strike deal

Palanivel is arranging individual meetings with party top leaders to convince them on why he should stay on for another term.

PETALING JAYA: MIC president G Palanivel has arranged several meetings with top party leaders separately to defuse the current situation in the party.

While several party sources revealed that Palanivel will meet MIC vice-president M Saravanan at an undisclosed location tomorrow, others said the meeting had taken place today.

Palanivel is expected to hold similar meetings with other top party leaders.

Sources also said Palanivel was trying to strike a deal with MIC leaders, allowing him to stay as the party chief for another term.

“He wants to maintain the status quo for the president and deputy president’s post. He does not want contest in the upcoming elections for the top two positions. He has announced that he wants one more term…this would be Palanivel’s bargaining chip,” said the source.

Palanivel took over as acting president in 2010 after former supremo S Samy Vellu relinquished his position. The party elections was supposed to have been held in 2012 but was postponed due to the 13th general election.

The party’s presidential election has been fixed for Sept 22 while nomination is on Sept 1. A total 3,988 branch chairmen will elect the president.

The polls for other national posts — deputy president, three vice-presidents and 23 Central Working Committee (CWC) members – will be held in December. About 1,500 division delegates will vote to pick leaders for these positions.

Speculation is rife that MIC deputy president Dr S Subramaniam is gearing up to contest the top post. However, Dr Subramaniam, who is also Health Minister appears to be coy over his intentions.

He is said to have the blessings of Samy Vellu, who still maintains 45% to 50% support of branch chairmen.

Sources also revealed that if Palanivel fails to shore up support, Dr Subramaniam is expected to announce his candidacy for the president’s post latest by next week.

Meanwhile, the majority of branches have concluded their annual general meetings.