KUALA LUMPUR, 24 — After months of speculation that he might take on his great nemesis Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu, former MIC deputy president Datuk S Subramaniam has disappointed his hardcore supporters by announcing he will not challenge the incumbent president in party polls on April 12.
The decision has disappointed scores of hardcore supporters across the country who had wanted their hero go down fighting with a bang and not a whimper.
“This is the beginning of the end of his long career in the MIC,” a veteran MIC divisional leader said when contacted.
“He had a choice but he has chosen to just walk away.”
“We are all disappointed,” he added.
Subramaniam, who made the announcement while opening a MIC branch at the Si-Puteh Division, of which he is division chairman, two days ago he said he was undecided whether to contest for the deputy president’s post which he lost to incumbent Datuk G Palanivel in 2006.
Subramaniam had been deputy president for over 25 years before losing to Palanivel who was supported by Samy Vellu.
Samy Vellu had said then that it was time for him to hand over power, and had offered Palanivel to the delegates as his successor, but later changed his mind and continued as president right through the March 8 2008 polls disaster in which he, Palanivel and others were defeated.
“Taking into consideration the situation and unity in the party, I have decided not to contest for the number one post,” The Star quoted Subramaniam as saying today.
Nomination is on March 22 with polling on April 12.
Former vice-president Datuk M Muthupalaniappan is the only one challenging Samy Vellu but he has dropped off the MIC radar after his expulsion from the MIC was reversed earlier this month.
Muthupalaniappan confirmed with The Malaysian Insider he was not pulling out but said he is working firmly and quietly to get enough nominations to “cross the line” on nomination day.
With Subramaniam confirming he is not in the president’s race, all eyes are now on the contest for the deputy president’s post which is likely to be a fiery three-corner fight.
Subramaniam will again face incumbent Palanivel ands this time vice-president S Sothinathan is also likely to join the fray.
The key question is who Samy Vellu will back as his deputy and eventual successor — Subramaniam, Palanivel or Sothinathan?
Sources close to Subramaniam said he was made to understand by Samy Vellu and Umno leaders that he would pick a successor at the “proper time” when the veteran president is ready to handover.
As the incumbent deputy president Palanivel stands a better chance of inheriting the presidency.
Sothinathan on the other hand is also seen as a Samy Vellu successor and some party insiders swear he will emerge triumphant at the right time.
While BN/Umno wants him to hand over power as soon as possible, Samy Vellu himself is reluctant.
“He is committed to hand over but he still believes he has to re-brand the party and hand over on a high note. A defeat in the Bukit Selambau by-election would push him announce a date,” a close aide said.
Critics also worry that a victory in the by-election would convince Samy Vellu that he is still needed and a handover would be considerably delayed.
That’s not what BN leaders want.
Many BN leaders want Samy Vellu to announce a departure date even before stepping foot in Bukit Selambau, arguing his departure would please Indian voters enough to return to the BN fold.
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