MIC Youth tussle on the cards

The contest for the post of Youth chief is expected to be a straight fight between the incumbent deputy and the youth secretary

PETALING JAYA: The decision of current MIC Youth chief T Mohan not to seek re-election at the MIC polls in November has opened up a tough race for the party’s top Youth post.

Although Mohan, who turned 40 in March, is eligible to contest the post again, he has decided to make  way for the next generation of youth leaders.

The businessman turned politician is said to be eyeing a bigger post. Sources reveal that Mohan might join the already crowded MIC vice-president’s race.

With Mohan moving-up the leadership rung, the tussle for the youth chief’s position, observers say, will be between incumbent deputy chief A Mugilan and Youth secretary C Sivarraajh.

“What’s interesting is that both Mohan and former MIC Youth chief SA Vickeneswaran are backing different candidates.

“Mohan wants Sivarraajh while Vickneswaran is keen on Mugilan,” said a source who did not want to be named.

Dark horse in the race

Party insiders say both the contenders have their own strengths and weaknesses.

“Sivarraajh, who is also Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir’s special officer is leading the race. Being, the Youth secretary, he has a close relationship with state and division youth leaders.

“And with Mohan backing him, it may be easy for Sivarraajh to maintain the lead and extend his support base. Youth delegates also find him easily accessible,” said a party source.

He, however, cautioned that Mugilan, cannot be under estimated.

“Many say he has the blessings of party president G Palanivel. Vickneswaran is also said to be backing Mugilan. This may give Sivarraajh a run for his money. The tussle would be a close one,” said the source.

Although Mohan and Vickeswaran are mum on their choice of candidates for Youth top post, sources reveal they have started to meet divisional youth leaders to introduce the two contenders respectively.

However, there could be a dark horse joining the race. R Ramanan, the special officer to Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan, is surveying the ground with the intention of contesting the post.

“It is normal for leaders to do such surveys. However, Ramanan is not expected to make a big impact. If he contests the post, then he might spoil some votes for both Sivarraajh and Mugilan.

“Both of them would certainly not like to have a third player in the game but for now its all wait and see,” added the source.