Samy to spearhead changes in MIC?

The former MIC chief may go for the top post or back a 'vibrant' candidate for the party president's post.

UPDATED

PETALING JAYA: Former MIC president S Samy Vellu is mulling options whether to contest the top post in the party’s presidential election.

Sources close to the former MIC chief revealed that Samy Vellu was contemplating of going for the top post, while his second option was to back a “strong and vibrant” leader in the MIC for the party’s top seat.

“However, he would gauge the views of supporters in the party first. Many division and branch leaders have met him and told him to make a comeback to revive the ailing MIC.

“Some have even pleaded with him to contest the president’s post. They expressed fear that the MIC might disintegrate under the present leadership (of G Palanivel). The former president has told these leaders that he was seriously considering going for the number one post.

“He also told the grassroots leaders that he too was not happy with the way the party was run,” said the source.

Speculation is rife that Samy Vellu, who still commands at least 45% support among delegates in the party, was unhappy with the way Palanivel has been running the MIC over the past four years.

Sources revealed that Palanivel, the Natural Resources and Environment Minister, knows that the former president is unhappy with the current state of affairs in the party.

“He met Samy Vellu end of last week when Samy Vellu returned from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Palanivel told Samy Vellu that he is nominating Vell Paari (Samy Vellu’s son) to the senate. He also told Samy Vellu that the ministry he heads now has many projects and contracts which can be used by Samy Vellu.

“However, Samy Vellu did not buy into this reasoning. We think he has already made up his mind on removing Palanivel,” said the source.

Samy Vellu relinquished his position in the party in 2010, after suffering a loss in the Sungai Siput parliamentary constituency at the 2008 general election. He had been at the helm of the largest Indian based political party in the country for more than three decades before his resignation.

Samy Vellu, who was works minister before his defeat in the 2008, had been president since 1979, when he was appointed acting president after the death of then president V Manikavasagam.

He stepped down in December, 2010 paving the way for Palanivel to become MIC’s acting president. The party was supposed to have held its internal elections last year but this was postponed due to the 13th general election.

It is expected to start holding elections at all levels in the MIC this year.

Palani’s leadership under fire

Various quarters have expressed their disappointment in Palanivel’s leadership. In the just concluded general election, the MIC fared worse that the last general election. Off the nine parliamentary and 18 state seats it contested, MIC only won four parliamentary and five state seats. This was two state seats short of MIC performance in 2008.

Apart from Samy Vellu, deputy president Dr S Subramaniam, who is now Health Minister, is also speculated to be eyeing the MIC top post. Another contender is said to be vice president M Saravanan, who is Youth and Sports deputy minister.

With Samy Vellu in the fray, these two leaders are expected to stay away from the race.

“However, if Samy Vellu decides to back another leader against Palanivel in the presidential race it would be either one of the two. Dr Subramaniam has experience being in the cabinet for two terms. He is more polished and diplomatic.

“Saravanan on the other hand will bring vibrancy to the party. He takes a more direct approach in handling things. Although these two leaders would make a good team, they are unlikely to form a pact in this party election. It all depends on what Samy Vellu decides,” said the source.

No agenda in meeting
Meanwhile in an immediate reaction, Vell Paari, who is also MIC strategy director, confirmed that Samy Vellu and Palanivel met recently.

“But Palanivel met my father because he did not meet my father after winning the Cameron Highlands seat…the meeting did not discuss Palanivel’s ministry or any senator’s position.

“The relationship between them is cordial and amicable,” he told FMT.

“There was no other agenda,” said Paari.