Having raised eyebrows with his remark on the possibility of remaining as president after 2016, G Palanivel today made another U-turn, clarifying that he will not defend his post in MIC’s next party polls.

It a statement, he instead said that deputy president Dr S Subramaniam will be nominated for the post.

Fresh after returning uncontested as president last Sunday, Palanivel told reporters that he will only decide on his post when the time comes in 2016.
"I also feel like retiring but the branch chairmen are forcing me to continue," he reportedly said.

NONEThis went against the peace deal between him and Subramaniam reportedly brokered by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

In the truce, Palanivel is to return as president uncontested, but will make way for Subramaniam in 2016.

Meanwhile, Palanivel today said that his focus now is to make changes to the party constitution to ensure that MIC becomes more democratic.

"For example, it is important to go back to the old way where state chairmen will be elected together with other office bearers," he said.

He said a committee of lawyers and others will be formed to review this proposed changes.

He said that among the proposed changes is that the state chairpersons will be the ones to vote in the central working committee and not delegates at the annual general meeting as is the case now.

He also said that the president, deputy president and vice president polls should be held together once every three years.

State chairperson, branches and division can be held every two years, he said.

This means that state chairperson, branches and division elections will be held in 2015 and the president, deputy president and vice president polls will take place in 2016.