Palanivel wants Subra to remain No 2 uncontested

Having been returned as MIC president uncontested, G Palanivel now wants his deputy Dr S Subramaniam to be retained without contest.

While Palanivel did not give a reason for his stand, it could be an outcome of the peace deal between him and Subramaniam, said to be brokered by the prime minister.

Instead, Palanivel only said that he expects greater competition for the three vice-president positions.

"I don't know how many people are interested, but there will be more than three contestants," he said in a statement today.

The national MIC elections are due to take place in December, after state conventions. Divisional Youth and Wanita elections will come before the state conventions.

In the truce, Palanivel is to return as president uncontested, but will make way for Subramaniam in 2016. The truce is to preserve the party from severe infighting.

Among those who had expressed interest in contesting for vice-president is former president S Samy Vellu's son, S Vell Paari.

Vell Paari had earlier been dropped from the MIC central working committee by Palanivel.