George Town: Former MIC President Datuk Seri G.Palanivel, who has been missing from public functions during the last few months, stunned everyone when he appeared yesterday at the Penang Thaipusam celebrations along with DAP bigwigs Lim Guan Eng and Dr P.Ramasamy.
Palanivel attended the Penang Thaipusam celebrations yesterday along with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Penang Deputy Chief Minister Dr P.Ramasamy. It is not known whether this is just a coincidence or a pre-planned and well-orchestrated political maneuver.
Since these photos appeared in social media yesterday, MIC circles and other political pundits began predicting whether this is the first indication of Palanivel faction, as to what their next move would be.
The coming together of these leaders have further fueled speculations that Palanivel faction might be looking at the option of working with the opposition bloc if their claims are not solved by Barisan Nasional leadership.
Palanivel delivering a speech during the Penang Thaipusam celebrations…
Palanivel faction claims that they still have the backing of some 1,800 MIC branches and that they are the legitimate MIC. However, RoS has not recognised their claims.
Furthermore, MIC has officially announced there are only 800-odd MIC branches remaining outside the party, out of which some 342 branches have returned to the party through a re-nomination process held on 19 December 2015.
MIC has set 31st January 2016 as the dateline for the MIC branches outside the party to join back the party. It is believed that several branches have approached MIC Headquarters to return back but there has been no official announcement from any of the key leaders from Palanivel’s faction that they will join back MIC.
In the given circumstances there have been speculations as to what would be the next moves of Palanivel faction. Palanivel’s appearance along with Lim Guan Eng yesterday, if it is not a coincidence, could be the answer to such speculations.
It is also a well known fact that Palanivel enjoys a cordial relationship with P.Ramasamy. The Penang Deputy Chief Minister on several occasions has defended Palanivel publicly and at the same time criticised the current leadership of MIC President Dr S.Subramaniam.
Palanivel in discussion with Lim Guan Eng and Dr P.Ramasamy…..
Several former MIC leaders also attended the Penang Thaipusam celebrations yesterday along with Palanivel. Among them was former Bagan Division Dato Henry Benedict Asirvatham.
