PETALING JAYA: Another controversy is taking shape in MIC over the formation of new Youth branches, which certain quarters claim could be the essential ingredient in a plot to oust deputy president G Palanivel.
Talk on the ground, said a source, is that the mission to form these branches is being spearheaded by MIC president S Samy Vellu's most trusted lieutenant, his son Vell Paari.
He said the plan to form the 1,000 new branches was being done on the pretext of expanding MIC's appeal to Indian youths and to give them a platform in the party.
However, he added, the real motive could be to end Palanivel's political career.Although the source claimed that all signs were pointing in the direction of Samy Vellu wanting vice-president Dr S Subramaniam to be his successor, the president himself had gone on record to state it is Palanivel who would succeed him when he steps down next September.
When Samy Vellu steps down, Palanivel would become acting president, but there is speculation that an early presidential election could be called in order to finish off Palanivel.
“Samy Vellu might just say that the branch chairmen have no confidence in Palanivel or something to that effect and form a presidential council to conduct an early poll for the top post. So the presidential election could be brought forward to September 2011.
“Samy Vellu would stress fairness, and that he would hand over the reins to the victor elected by the branch chairmen. This is where the new branches would come into play. It is the branch chairmen who would vote in the presidential election,” said the source.
'Palanivel, a threat to caste politics'
Asked why Samy Vellu would want to destroy his former press secretary, especially when he had openly backed him for the number two slot in the past, the source replied: “Caste”.
“Both Samy Vellu and Subramaniam are from the Devar caste. Although a minority in the party, the Devars want to continue their reign and they consider Palanivel as a threat to their domination.
“Palanivel would eliminate caste politics and open up the party to all regardless of their sub-ethnic backgrounds. He would also democratise the party and weak leaders who are not member-or- people-centric fear this,” he said.
In Selangor alone, the source said there would be 400 new branches and the state already has 939 branches.
“Samy Vellu's reasoning is that the new branches would force the old branches to work harder. But we don't need new branches, we need votes. We need to recruit youths who are actually voters.
“Furthermore, it is hard to believe that the Indian youths are still interested in MIC for the party to make up the numbers to form the 1,000 branches,” he added.
The source pointed out that the MIC constitution stipulates that a branch must have 120 members, but this was amended last year to allow Youth branches to be formed with only 60 members.
“A normal branch would have 22 office-bearers; in Youth branches, the number of office-bearers could be lower. While the office-bearers would be locals, the rest of the members is anyone's guess.
“It would take time for the Registrar of Societies to verify all the branches, and by then, the branches would be active and could vote in the party elections,” he said.
Top post -- It's all about the numbers
Calling it a “numbers game”, the source said of the current 4,500 MIC branches in the country, some 500 to 600 are controlled by former deputy president S Subramaniam.
“Palanivel has some 2,000 branches on his side while the rest are Samy Vellu's 'diehard' branches. Adding another 1,000 pro-Samy Vellu branches would drastically alter the equation in a presidential election.
“Naturally, the majority of votes would go for the man Samy Vellu is seen to be backing,” he said.
The source also claimed that the exisiting division chairmen were perturbed by the move to register new branches as it placed their positions in jeopardy as well.
“The division chairmen are not being notified about the new branches; it is all very cloak and dagger, and many feel that it is undemocratic.
“This would only stoke tension and create more fissures in MIC, which is struggling to find its footing after the last general election,” he said, casting doubts on the claim that MIC has 600,000 members.
“There are many 'dead people' on the membership roll. The party's membership dwindled after the last general election where scores of MIC members left to join opposition parties,” he added.
The source also asked why Samy Vellu was rushing to form these new branches if he is already on his way out, “unless there is an hidden agenda”.
Vell Paari: Conspiracy theories will always be there
Contacted later, Vell Paari rubbished this allegation, saying it was the work of those who cannot stand to see a strong and stable MIC.
“There is no such thing. If we don't form new branches, they say we are becoming irrelevant. When we form new branches, they call it a conspiracy. Conspiracy theories would always be there and we cannot be answering to all of them,” he told FMT.
The MIC central working committee member also clarified that not all the 1,000 branches would be Youth branches.
“As for targeting the youths, the critics claim they have deserted MIC. But when we bring them in by forming new branches, they call it a conspiracy. So what do we do?
“The fact is, MIC is regaining its strength and this has caused alarm among certain quarters. We have proven them wrong, so they have no choice but to cook up stories,” he said.
The CWC member also dimissed the speculation that Palanivel would be axed in favour of Subramaniam or the existence of any tension between his father and the number two man.
Vell Paari stressed that he too has nothing against Palanivel.
“During the last party election in 2006, I campaigned on the ground for him. I went on the warpath against (former deputy president) Subramaniam for him.
“The issue is simple. Some people have tried their level best to demolish this party, but they are surprised that MIC remains strong and stable. They cannot digest this,” he said, laughing off the matter.
Meanwhile, sources close to Palanivel told FMT that they have heard rumours of this alleged plot as well.
However, they said Palanivel would not go against the president because he feels indebted to him since it was Samy Vellu who showed him the ropes.
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