KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president S Samy Vellu has expelled the party's Youth deputy chief V Mugilan for allegedly working against MIC and Barisan Nasional.
According to a source, the president had invoked his powers as provided for by the party constitution and fired Mugilan after consulting his deputy, G Palanivel.
The constitution requires the president to consult his number two before making such decisions.
“Samy Vellu and Palanivel met this morning and had a lengthy discussion on the matter,” said the source, adding that the president felt that Mugilan had crossed the line with his scathing remarks.
“The letter (of expulsion) is expected to be sent to him soon,” said the source.
Yesterday, Samy Vellu said Mugilan would be referred to the MIC disciplinary board after accusing him of working against BN and MIC during the Hulu Selangor by-election.
Just hours before, Mugilan had demanded that Samy Vellu resign with immediate effect, saying that the longer he stays, the worse it would be for MIC and BN.
He was responding to Samy Vellu's statement a day earlier that he would relinquish his post “eight to nine months” before his presidential term expires in May 2012.
Mugilan claimed that the 74-year-old president had overstayed his welcome and the Indian community wanted change.
Blaming Samy Vellu for MIC's dismal performance in the 2008 general election, Mugilan believes that his departure would help the ruling coalition win back at least 80% of the Indian votes.
'Hidden hands' behind Mugilan
Mugilan's attack came as a surprise since during the April 25 Hulu Selangor by-election, it was reported that Samy Vellu and Mugilan had agreed to bury the hatchet.
Mugilan was the preferred choice of Umno, while Samy Vellu had insisted that BN field Palanivel.
After much haggling, a compromise was reached and MIC information chief P Kamalanathan was named as the candidate.
Meanwhile, another source questioned if there were “hidden hands” behind Mugilan's caustic remarks.
“We know that he is close to Umno, especially its leaders, including (Deputy Prime Minister) Muhyiddin Yassin. Did the instruction come from Umno?” he asked.
It is an open secret that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Umno are pressuring Samy Vellu to step down as soon as possible.
The source said Mugilan's sacking would only anger them further.
“Samy Vellu is playing a dangerous game, but he is no stranger to such situations. Mugilan's sacking is bound to ruffle feathers both in MIC and Umno.They would see this as dictatorship,” he added.
Despite numerous attempts, Mugilan could not be reached for comment.
Yesterday, the Youth leader expressed confidence that the party would not act against him, because he was only calling for change.
He said Samy Vellu had done the same when he had asked previous MIC president VT Sambanthan to step down.
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