July 12 – Another candidate has emerged as the potential runner to take on current MIC President Dato Seri G.Palanivel in the forthcoming MIC Presidential election scheduled in September this year.
Tamil media today highlighted that Datuk S.Sothinathan (pic), a former Vice-President and Secretary General of MIC may contest against Palani for presidency.
In 2009, Sothi stood against Palany for Deputy Presidency and lost. He polled 280 votes against Palani’s 629 and Dato (now Tan Sri) Subra’s 547 votes.
He was also widely expected to be fielded as the Parliamentary candidate for Teluk Kemang, his former constituency, in which he lost in 2008 against Pakatan candidate.
However, in the 13th GE, Palani chose V.S.Mohan instead of Sothi. Therefore, Sothi has every reason to go against Palani and MIC sources said Sothi is also expected to back Dr Subramaniam should the latter decide to take on Palani.
Dr Subra cannot be minister if he loses!
Word has also gone from Palany’s camp that the challengers to presidency must be prepared to lose their government positions should they lose in their bid to oust Palani.
Palani’s supporters are already upset with Palani’s shocking statement that he will remain as President for only one term. Now, Palani’s supporters are said to be pressuring Palani to retract the statement in view of the fact that Dr Subra is now considering to challenge Palani.
So far Dr Subramaniam, has not said that he will not challenge Palani but opted to say he will announce it at the appropriate time. His reluctance seems to be that he may have to give up his ministerial position should he lose in his battle against Palani.
Pressure will definitely mount on Dr Subra to give up his ministerial position should he lose in his fight against Palani. Palani will also ensure that Dr Subra is replaced as a minister.
Although, it is often said that the appointment of ministerial positions are prerogatives of the Prime Minister, in the past, the PM has always followed the directives from the component party leaders.
Samy and Saravanan leading the team!
MIC sources said that the main players behind the presidential contest are former party president S.Samy Vellu and M.Saravanan, current Vice President of MIC and a Deputy Minister.
They are said to finding it hard to convince Dr Subramaniam to go against Palani. Since, Palani has already announced that he would only serve one more term, Dr Subra could easily become the next President in three years time.
Furthermore, Dr Subra is also said to be passionate about his current ministerial position which is befitting to his profession. As a medical Doctor, he feels he could contribute immensely towards the government and the Indian community with his current ministerial position as Health Minister.
By going against Palani, Dr Subra has everything to lose if he loses the fight. He may lose his ministerial position and will not be in line to take over from Palani should the leadership transition takes place in three years time.
Saravanan is also not interested in going for the Presidency, as he is more interested in securing party’s Deputy Presidency, thereby positioning himself as the next president.
So, those against Palani’s leadership have now found a new candidature in Sothinathan as he has an axe to grind against Palani and he is also not holding any government positions currently.
By fielding Sothi, Palani’s detractors aim to show a massive opposition to Palani’s leadership, which they will use it as an indicator to oust him from presidency later.
However, Sothi is said to be weighing his options cautiously, as this year’s party election is probably the last political platform available to him to establish his political relevance in MIC.
