No camp ahead in MIC division polls

The MIC divisional polls are over and no one camp can say they control the 1,400 divisional delegates who will pick the national leaders.

PETALING JAYA: MIC concluded its divisional elections last weekend and all eyes are now is on the national elections next month.

The divisional elections has not given a clue on the voting trend of the members and the results were mixed.

Party observers say no one camp can say they control the 1,400 divisional delegates who will pick the national leaders, expect for the post of president.

The top post was won uncontested by G Palanivel after a peace deal was struck between the president and his deputy, Dr S Subramaniam.

The MIC national polls will see contests for the posts of deputy president, three vice- presidents and 23 central working committee members.

Several top guns lost in the divisional polls, including former Johor state exco member M Asojan, who was beaten in the Ledang division by a slim majority.

In Perak, ex-Behrang state assemblyman KR Naidu lost the Tanjung Malim division to a new face and IRDL Land group of companies chairman M Ramasamy.

While in Selangor, two senior incumbent division chairmen RS Maniam (Kota Raja) and JS Suppaiah (Shah Alam) were also shown the exit.

With the conclusion of the divisional elections, the party’s focus is now on the election of national office bearers.

Health Minister Dr Subramaniam was initially tipped to win the deputy president race uncontested. However, former vice-president S Sothinathan is speculated to be scouting the ground to go for the second highest post.

Sothinathan can throw a spanner in the peace deal brokered by Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional chief Najib Tun Razak which was to ensure the party’s top two positions remain uncontested.

The former vice-president failed in his bid for deputy president’s post at the party elections in 2009.

However, sources said Sothinathan has yet to decide if he would contest the deputy president post or go for one of the three vice-president slots.

The race for the vice-presidency on the other hand appears to be crowded with about 10 potential candidates staking their claim for the three seats up for grabs.

Incumbent vice-presidents M Saravanan and SK Devamany are definitely contesting and stand a good chance winning.

Saravanan, who is Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, seems to have taken the party by storm using the ministry platform to move around the country with ease.

He is also seen as the “future” of MIC by many MIC leaders and members alike.

Others tipped to join the race are party treasurer-general Jaspal Singh, Youth chief T Mohan, newly-elected Kepong division chairman and son of former president S Samy Vellu, S Vel Paari and former Youth head SA Vickneswaran.

Klang division deputy chairman R Ragumoorthy, Rembau division chairman and former Negeri Sembilan state exco member VS Mohan and former party secretary-general S Murugesan are also speculated to join the race.

If Sothinathan decides to run for the vice-presidency, then he would be the 10th potential candidate.

Several CWC members speaking to FMT admitted that the race for vice-president will be one of the toughest in party’s history.

“Although Saravanan holds the edge, all of them are well known among party members and it will be difficult for them to decide on the three candidates,” said a CWC member who did not want to be named.

“Each of them have their own strength and strategies. Some of them are in power and position while others have the financial muscle. One even claims to have the blessings of Palanivel to contest the veep post,” he added.