MIC chief Palanivel names two successors

Secretary-general Sothinathan and vice-president Balakrishnan to take over when he leaves

KUALA LUMPUR: Embattled MIC president G Palanivel, facing a renewed challenge from a faction led by his deputy, has named party secretary-general S.Sothinathan and vice president S. Balakrishnan as his possible successors.

Speaking before supporters at a party gathering today, he said there would come a time for him to be replaced, and his place would be taken over by S. Sothinathan and Balakrishnan, Star Online reported.

Last week Palanivel suspended the party membership of his deputy, Dr S Subramaniam, and 13 others, in the latest round of a power struggle which has led to the Registrar of Societies intervening to order fresh party elections for all posts.

Subramaniam, who in turn declared Palanivel’s membership suspended, also declared himself as acting president. He will be attending a rival “special assembly” tomorrow, also at Putra World Trade Centre, organised by his supporters.

Palanivel told supporters that it was the involvement of Barisan Nasional chairman Najib Razak in the party leadership crisis that had led to the party being forced to hold fresh elections.

The party had since failed in two court challenges against a directive by the Registrar of Societies to hold the elections.

“The RoS should not be involved in our party matters,” Palanivel told supporters, according to Star Online. “These are our rules and our constitution. They can’t get involved.” He called upon members to campaign against the Registrar “and all those who stand against us” to “reclaim what righfully belongs to MIC”.

Palanivel called for the support from all 300 branches to back him as their leader when branch elections were held from August. With their support and that of the central committee, they would “slowly destroy the rival faction”, he said.

Thousands of MIC members had gathered at Putra World Trade Centre from morning for the special assembly, Star Online reported.

Eight state chairmen voiced their support for Palanivel and urged members to follow suit.

A former Kedah MIC chairman who called for Palanivel to negotiate with his rivals was booed off stage.

Other leaders raised the subject of the future of the party investments in ventures such as AIMST University and TAFE College.

Kedah MIC chairman S. Ganesan said each division had been forced previously to contribute RM11,000 for the project. “It was built with all our efforts so should we not be allowed an opportunity to be a part of it? Were we not told that these universities and colleges were built for the future of MIC? What is happening now?” he said.