Kuala Lumpur – When nominations close at 6.00 pm today for the nationwide MIC branches currently outside the party, the number branches choosing to join back will determine and shape MIC politics in the years to come. It will also drastically change the composition, leadership structure and unity of the so called “Palanivel faction” currently staging a fierce political battle against the leadership of Datuk Seri Dr S.Subramaniam.
MIC sources said Palanivel faction headed by Tan Sri S.Balakrishnan and A.K.Ramalingam are making efforts to ensure that their supporting branch chairmen do not participate in the nominations today.
However, one of their key leaders, Datuk S.Sothinathan suddenly has taken a back seat and is conspicuously missing from the press conferences called by Ramalingam and Balakrishnan. When a group of their supporters marched into MIC headquarters on Wednesday, Sothinathan was not seen with them. Sothi has not issued any press statements on the latest developments in the party. There are speculations that he might return to the fold by filing an appeal to reinstate his membership, which he lost by reason of his participation in the court battle against MIC and Registrar of Societies (RoS).
It will be also interesting to see whether his branch would be filing nominations today to return to the party.
MIC sources said a substantial fraction of Palanivel’s faction comprises Sothi’s supporters and any decision he takes will ultimately affect the political strength of the group.
Branches break-away from Palanivel faction to file nominations today
Meanwhile, Dr Subramaniam and other MIC leaders have been working hard on the ground to convince the MIC branches to seize this golden opportunity and return to the party by filing nominations today.
Palanivel’s faction claim there are 1,800 MIC branches currently outside the party but MIC Headquarters has refuted the figure by claiming it is only around 800.
Sources pointed out that many branch chairmen with Palanivel’s faction are worn out and tired of this long-drawn political battle which is heading without any solutions or conclusions. They also realize that the nominations today may be the last opportunity left to them to return to the party since they may lose that right come 2016, as it is an election year. MIC Constitution forbids formation and inclusion of new or defunct branches into the party structure during an election year.
Many of these branch chairmen are also ardent and loyal supporters of Palanivel, and that is the reason why they were in this political game until now. Since Palanivel himself has been deserted by this group, the branch chairmen aligned to Palanivel are now contemplating of filing nominations today.
How many will file today?
So, the burning question in MIC circles is – how many branches will file nominations today?
MIC sources said out of 800 odd branches, they are expecting at least 400 to 500 branches to file nominations and they claim it would be a great success if they can achieve that number. If the expected number of branches turns up today to file their respective nominations, then it will greatly reduce the strength and voice of Palanivel’s faction and may push them into political wilderness unless they can cause a maverick return.
A high number of turnout today would also significantly strengthen the party but it will also drastically change the political landscape within the party.
Upon the return of these branches several division leaders may lose their positions in the forthcoming party elections whenever it is held and national level elections will also see significant changes in the line-up.
However, MIC sources said Dr Subramaniam is very firm in bringing back these MIC branches although some of them are antagonistic towards the current leadership. Ultimately it will only strengthen the party and would help the party to be in a better shape to get ready for mother of all battles – GE 14!
-R.Mutharasan
