ANALYSIS, May 23 — Datuk G. Palanivel’s attempts to unite the MIC by bringing back sacked members have resulted in accusations that the new president is trying to head off a challenge to his six-month leadership of the Barisan Nasional (BN) component party.
Critics say pardoning leaders sacked just before his predecessor Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu stepped down was a move to strengthen Palanivel’s own position rather than the party as a whole.
Earlier this year, Palanivel (picture) told The Malaysian Insider that all MIC members who were sacked or resigned would be allowed back and handed their old posts.
Last month, the central working committee (CWC) readmitted three leaders who headed the Anti-Samy Movement (GAS).
V. Mugilan reclaimed his post as deputy Youth chief while Kumar Aamaan and K.P. Samy are back in the CWC.
In the aftermath of the CWC decision, MIC Youth secretary C. Sivarraajh filed a complaint to the Registrar of Societies (RoS) claiming the decision was invalid as it breached clauses in the party’s constitution, including one that says members sacked by the party can only be readmitted two years later.
Sivaraajh’s complaint was followed by Bagan division chief Datuk Henry Benedict Asirvatham questioning the methods and motives of the president.
He openly accused Palanivel of trying to politically assassinate deputy president Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, who is considered a potential challenger for the presidency.
Dr Subramaniam, who is MIC’s only Cabinet minister, is said to have the support of Samy Vellu, who led the party for three decades prior to this.
A significant number of Youth leaders are said to back a leadership team headed by Human Resource Minister Dr Subramaniam and Youth chief T. Mohan.
But Mugilan was reported to be readying a challenge for the Youth chief post, angering those in power now.
But party polls that were due early next year have also been postponed until after the next general election, delaying any attempt to challenge Palanivel, who took over as president in mid-December.
Those critical of Palanivel have directly or indirectly claimed that he has no grassroots support and only won in two previous party elections due to the backing of Samy Vellu.
The Malaysian Insider understands that the former president has become uneasy with the steps taken by Palanivel.
Last Thursday, Asirvatham received a show cause letter which he says he will definitely respond to.
“If I need proof, I can bring witnesses from around the country in buses who support Dr Subramaniam with proof that there are attempts to politically assassinate him,” he said when contacted by The Malaysian Insider.
He insisted that Palanivel had restored leaders sacked by Samy Vellu “not in the interests of the party, but because he is worried about Dr Subramaniam’s popularity.”
Asirvatham also claimed that Palanivel has set his sights on bringing down vice-president Datuk M. Saravanan.
When contacted, secretary-general S. Murugessan confirmed that the disciplinary committee has asked Asirvatham to show cause for his attack on Palanivel.
Political analyst Sivamurugan Pandian said the steps taken by Palanivel appeared good on the surface but it would be difficult for some to accept that the sacked leaders were automatically returned to their previous posts.
Samy Vellu supporters as well as Asirvatham have also claimed that Palanivel has opened nearly 1,000 new branches to shore up support for himself in the party.
Dr Subramaniam was one of just three MIC candidates who made it into Parliament after the 2008 elections which broke BN’s two-thirds parliamentary majority.
Palanivel, who lost in Hulu Selangor, was appointed a senator at the end of last year after he did not contest a by-election there in April 2010.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is expected to call snap polls within the year and has been asking all BN component parties to ensure unity ahead of the elections.
Critics say pardoning leaders sacked just before his predecessor Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu stepped down was a move to strengthen Palanivel’s own position rather than the party as a whole.
Earlier this year, Palanivel (picture) told The Malaysian Insider that all MIC members who were sacked or resigned would be allowed back and handed their old posts.Last month, the central working committee (CWC) readmitted three leaders who headed the Anti-Samy Movement (GAS).
V. Mugilan reclaimed his post as deputy Youth chief while Kumar Aamaan and K.P. Samy are back in the CWC.
In the aftermath of the CWC decision, MIC Youth secretary C. Sivarraajh filed a complaint to the Registrar of Societies (RoS) claiming the decision was invalid as it breached clauses in the party’s constitution, including one that says members sacked by the party can only be readmitted two years later.
Sivaraajh’s complaint was followed by Bagan division chief Datuk Henry Benedict Asirvatham questioning the methods and motives of the president.
He openly accused Palanivel of trying to politically assassinate deputy president Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, who is considered a potential challenger for the presidency.
Dr Subramaniam, who is MIC’s only Cabinet minister, is said to have the support of Samy Vellu, who led the party for three decades prior to this.
A significant number of Youth leaders are said to back a leadership team headed by Human Resource Minister Dr Subramaniam and Youth chief T. Mohan.
But Mugilan was reported to be readying a challenge for the Youth chief post, angering those in power now.
But party polls that were due early next year have also been postponed until after the next general election, delaying any attempt to challenge Palanivel, who took over as president in mid-December.
Those critical of Palanivel have directly or indirectly claimed that he has no grassroots support and only won in two previous party elections due to the backing of Samy Vellu.
The Malaysian Insider understands that the former president has become uneasy with the steps taken by Palanivel.
Last Thursday, Asirvatham received a show cause letter which he says he will definitely respond to.
“If I need proof, I can bring witnesses from around the country in buses who support Dr Subramaniam with proof that there are attempts to politically assassinate him,” he said when contacted by The Malaysian Insider.
He insisted that Palanivel had restored leaders sacked by Samy Vellu “not in the interests of the party, but because he is worried about Dr Subramaniam’s popularity.”
Asirvatham also claimed that Palanivel has set his sights on bringing down vice-president Datuk M. Saravanan.
When contacted, secretary-general S. Murugessan confirmed that the disciplinary committee has asked Asirvatham to show cause for his attack on Palanivel.
Political analyst Sivamurugan Pandian said the steps taken by Palanivel appeared good on the surface but it would be difficult for some to accept that the sacked leaders were automatically returned to their previous posts.
Samy Vellu supporters as well as Asirvatham have also claimed that Palanivel has opened nearly 1,000 new branches to shore up support for himself in the party.
Dr Subramaniam was one of just three MIC candidates who made it into Parliament after the 2008 elections which broke BN’s two-thirds parliamentary majority.
Palanivel, who lost in Hulu Selangor, was appointed a senator at the end of last year after he did not contest a by-election there in April 2010.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is expected to call snap polls within the year and has been asking all BN component parties to ensure unity ahead of the elections.
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