'Palanivel is godfather who encourages thuggery in MIC'

 

An MIC leader has likened party president G Palanivel as ayahanda (godfather) as he encourages "thuggery and rowdiness" that he claims to abhor.

In a strongly-worded statement given to Malaysiakini, MIC re-election committee member N Muneandy claimed Palanivel rewarded those who had moved to oust former MIC president S Samy Vellu (right) during his tenure.

"Palanivel had rewarded them with positions and this is a clear indication of his support for those who practice thuggery and rowdiness," the Ampang Jaya branch member said.

Palanivel had blamed the fracas during the emergency MIC meet on Thursday on "thuggery and rowdiness" of members who were urging him to resign.

The meeting was to discuss the re-election ordered by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) following complaints of irregularities.

"It can be said that Palanivel is the ayahanda as he is the one who had encouraged thuggery and rowdiness in the party," he noted.

Muneandy said that Palanivel is the one who should shoulder the blame for the mass gathering that took place outside the MIC headquarters on Thursday, urging for the latter's resignation.

"Palanivel should take the blame for the mass gathering as his reluctance (to meet detractors) was the main reason people had gathered there," he stressed.

He further said that the 65-year-old appeared to be in a "different world", under the "illusion that everything is okay".

"He does not know the realities on the ground where the party's influence has been greatly reduced," Muneandy added.

'Allegations baseless'

Amongst others, the member also called Palanivel a "very confused" man, and the "laughing stock of the Indian community".

Meanwhile, a source close to the MIC president dismissed the allegations as baseless.

"The statement looks like it was made out of vengeance and to smear the president's name. It is a desperate statement to escape from their own rowdy behaviour," he told Malaysiakini.

He said most of the people who came to MIC headquarters on Thursday were branch and division chairpersons.

"They came to show their support for the president because they heard that there were plans to disrupt the CWC meeting.

"They were not the ones who were blocking the entrance and making noise," he added.