Instead, he said, deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, who is also Health Minister, would be nominated for the post.
On Sept 1, Palanivel, who is also natural resources and environment minister, had said he might continue to hold the party president’s post even after his term ended in 2016.
This was after the announcement by MIC presidential election steering committee head Tan Sri K. Kumaran that Palanivel had won the party presidency unopposed, and garnered 617 nominations, well above the 50 nominations required.
In a statement here on Thursday, Palanivel said: “The most important thing is to bring new changes to the party so that there is more democracy in the party.
“For example, it’s important to go back to the old ways where state chairmen are elected, together with other office-bearers. “Similarly, it was the state MIC branch chairmen who should elect the central working committee members from their respective states.
“It should not be a situation where delegates at the MIC Annual General Meeting vote for the central working committee members for different states.”
He said the election for president, deputy president and vice-presidents should be held together, once every three years, while that of state chairmen, branches and divisions could be held every two years.
“So, branches, divisions, state chairmen and other office-bearers can begin their elections in 2015, and in 2016, elections for the party’s top posts can be held at the same time.
“The constitution can be amended to hold elections, according to these proposals,” said Palanivel, adding that he would form a committee comprising lawyers and others to look into the amendments.
By bringing those changes, there would be direct contact with members, and also make leaders, as well as the party, strong,” he said.
