KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 - Veteran MIC leader Datuk M. Muthupalaniappan is mulling over throwing down the gauntlet for the post of MIC president.
This means the man might take on his one-time ally, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who has not been challenged for the top post for over a decade.
Speaking to Bernama, the former MIC vice-president said over the past two weeks, he met members and grassroots leaders and their "feedback has been encouraging".
"I would not be making any official confirmation on the matter now. My supporters and branch leaders feel that if I announce my intention now, then they would have to face the wrath of Samy Vellu who may choose to expel those who support me.
"I also feel that Samy Vellu should be challenged in the interest of MIC, the Barisan Nasional and the Malaysian Indian community," Muthupalaniappan said today.
Come March, the largest Indian party in the country would hold its presidential election, while the election of deputy president, three vice-president and 23 central working committee (CWC) seats would be held in September.
Samy Vellu has announced that he would defend the party top post and was initially, speculated to win the post uncontested.
However, Muthupalaniappan bid for the top post would see him throw a spanner in the works, if he manages to garner nominations from 50 branches.
The party constitution requires a presidential candidate to obtain at least 50 nominations from branches before he/she is allowed to contest for the top post.
Each nomination must be proposed by a branch office-bearer and seconded by five other branch office-bearers.
The branch office-bearers would cast their ballots to pick the MIC president, unlike for other national positions which would be decided by some 1,500 delegates to the party's general assembly.
"There is also apprehension among branch leaders that the president might use his influence to discourage them from nominating me for the top post. I have been advised to make an official stand only in two or three weeks.
"In the meantime, I would be consulting senior party leaders on my intention," said Muthupalaniappan who is known as Muthu in the party's inner circles.
The 68-year-old Seremban-based Muthupalaniappan, who is a lawyer by profession, was first elected to the MIC central working committee in 1979. The same year, he was appointed Negeri Sembilan MIC chief, and party Youth head.
He was made senator in 1980, and two years later, won the Si Rusa state assembly seat and was appointed to the Negeri Sembilan state executive council.
He contested the party vice-presidency in 1987 and 1991 but lost both bids.
Muthupalaniappan eventually landed a veep seat in 1997 but failed to retain the post at the party's 2000 and 2006 elections. - Bernama
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