MIC Elections 2009: Businessman pulls out of MIC veep race

NST,By B. Suresh Ram

KUALA LUMPUR: Klang businessman K.P. Samy has withdrawn from the MIC vice-presidential race to focus on his bid for a seat in the party's central working committee.

The decision by the supporter of former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam, who is again vying for the number two position in the party, reduces contestants for the three vice-presidential slots to seven.

Samy, whose full name is K. Palanisamy, filed nomination papers for both positions on Saturday.

The Shah Bandaraya branch chairman said he will also campaign for Subramaniam who is going against incumbent Datuk G. Palanivel, who has party chief Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu's endorsement.

(The other candidate for the deputy presidency is incumbent vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan.)

"I am going for the lesser post as the race for the three vice-presidencies will see party heavyweights contesting against each other. I feel my chances of winning a seat on the CWC are brighter," he said.

Samy is a former two-term CWC member who did not make it to the decision-making body in the 2006 party elections.

Candidates for all posts up for grabs have until today to withdraw from the race.