MIC man claims discrepancies in Palani’s division

A MIC branch member alleges that there were discrepancies at a divisional election which was previously headed by the party president.

PETALING JAYA: Ladang Serendah MIC branch chairman K Suresh has lodged a report to the party headquarters over alleged irregularities in the Hulu Selangor division election. Party president G Palanivel used to head this division.

Suresh wants the party leadership to order fresh polls for the division as ineligible members had allegedly voted in picking the division leaders on Oct 6.

Although Palanivel stepped down from the division chief post, he is still member of the division.

In a letter to Palanivel, MIC deputy president, vice-presidents and all central working committee members, Suresh alleged that 22 delegates from 17 defunct MIC branches were allowed to vote in the Hulu Selangor division election.

The 17 branches are Taman Sri Asa, Taman Sungai Choh Utara, Ulu Yam Division, Ulu Yam Lama, Air Panas Kerling, Bandar Baru Bukit Sentosa, Belata River, Bukit Beruntong, Kampong Sri Keledang, Kampung Sejantang, Kampung Toh Pinang, Kilang Getah Ulu Bernam, Lima Belas Estate Baru, Sungai Buaya, Taman Bunga Raya, Taman Rasa Jaya and Taman Samudra.

In the letter, Suresh claimed these 17 branches have been defunct for many years and were “fraudulently revived” for the purposes of the division election.

“I have also been made to understand from reliable sources that these 17 branches did not hold their annual general meeting for the last one year. Therefore these branches are not entitled to send delegates to attend the division meeting,” he added.

Suresh, who contested to the division vice chairman’s post in the polls, lost to his opponent C Raja Gopal by 22 votes.

He also questioned the election returning officers’ decision to allow two delegates from the Taman Ehsan Baru branch, which had only 98 members, to vote in the polls.

“According to the party constitution, only a branch with more than 120 members can send two delegates. Why did they allow this branch to have two delegates?,” he queried.

He said a proper investigation must be conducted to unearth irregularities during the election.

Hulu Selangor is one of the largest MIC divisions in the country. Palanivel, who was chairman of the division since 1995, did not seek re-election this time around.

Palanivel is the chairman of Bandar Bukit Beruntung branch since 1990, and the branch comes under the Hulu Selangor division.