Kuala Lumpur, July 30 – MIC sources confirmed today that Palanivel’s faction has filed an appeal against the July 13 Court of Appeal decision. Tan Sri S.Balakrishnan, former MIC Johor State Chairman has filed the appeal.
However, MIC sources pointed out that A.Prakash Rao (pic), former MIC Secretary General and one of the 5 plaintiffs who filed for Judicial Review has withdrawn himself as one of the appellants in the appeal to Federal Court.
When contacted by selliyal.com today Prakash Rao confirmed that he has withdrawn himself from the Federal Court Appeal process.
“I have conveyed my decision to others immediately after the Court of Appeal decision. I was very active in social organisations and educational movements such as Sri Murugan Centre (SMC) as I always wanted to contribute to the progress of Indian community. In the same spirit I joined MIC in 1990 and won as a CWC member in the 2013 party elections and was subsequently appointed as Secretary General by Palanivel. I also thank him for giving me an opportunity to serve in that capacity. When the legal issues surfaced I had to be involved as the Public Officer of MIC. I am also a team-player and in that spirit, I continued to play my role under Palanivel, who was the President. But after the Court of Appeal decision on July 13, I decided that it is futile to pursue the legal battles further” Prakash Rao told selliyal.com.
Prakash Rao also said although he has personally suffered in the process, by losing positions in the party, he has taken it in good spirit. “What has happened is past. Let us look at the future to see how we can help the Indian community through MIC. In this regard I would like to state that it is not proper anymore to simply continue the political fight by declaring ‘two presidents and two elections’. This is not what the branches want anymore and let us put aside our own differences and animosity for the sake of party and community. In the pursuit of our political rivalry we should not put the MIC branches into jeopardy and should not hamper their political activities. We should not create any confusion among the MIC branches. With the High Court, Court of Appeal and RoS decisions it is a waste of time, money and energy pursuing the court battles anymore. I believe we should abide by the court decisions. It is my opinion that whatever the outcome of the Federal Court it is not going to change the political landscape of MIC in any manner” he reiterated.
A.Prakash Rao also clarified that his decision has nothing to do with the recent cabinet reshuffle where Palanivel was dropped as a Minister. “The cabinet appointments are the prerogative of the Prime Minister. My decision to withdraw from the appeal was made and conveyed immediately after the Court of Appeal decision on July 13. So there is no co-relation” he said.
