Kuala Lumpur, March 3 – The two camps carrying out an intense political battle in MIC surprisingly have found one common ground to agree upon – as to who should be the Chairman to head the Election Committee that will conduct the forthcoming MIC elections.
MIC sources said, D.P.Vijandran, a reputed senior lawyer who has served in various capacities in MIC in the past is hailed as the best person to head the MIC Election panel and is wooed by both the camps.
“Vijandran, was the Secretary General of the party during the 1989 Presidential battle between Samy Vellu and (Tan Sri) Subramaniam (former Deputy President) and that experience would be relevant and valuable in conducting the current presidential election between Palanivel and Dr. Subra. Furthermore, he was the one who was responsible for drafting most of the Constitutional amendments and he is well-versed with the provisions. He is well respected for his legal background and knowledge. He has the stature and dominance to control both the camps. There is no other person today who can match him if we are talking about the best man to head the MIC Election panel” said one MIC division chairman.
MIC sources said key leaders from both camps have approached Vijandran to accept the offer but he has not decided yet.
Sources close to Vijandran said he is reluctant to become the Election Committee Chairman as he may have to offend some of his close friends in both sides, by making controversial decisions in the process of the presidential and party elections which is expected to be a heated one.
Vijandran was also a former Senator, Member of Parliament for Kapar and the Deputy Speaker of Dewan Rakyat. He has also served as the Vice President of the party.
MIC Sources also pointed out that the elections must be conducted by a reputable person whose integrity should not be in question in view of the irregularities alleged in 2013 elections. There should not be any complaints of irregularities once the elections are over. Even if there are any, the Election Committee Chairman should be able to handle it personally and explain it in proper language to the respective authorities, the sources further said.
“Vijandran has also the advantage of understanding the ground sentiments and workings of the MIC’s branches and divisions. MIC has never had a presidential election in 26 years and this is the first time the election will be conducted as per the newly amended MIC Constitution whereby the branch chairmen will be voting for their President. So you need a person who understands the whole system and experienced to devise a voting pattern for the Presidential election to take place without any glitches. We can’t think of another person other than Vijandran” said one of his close political allies during his hey days.
Incidentally, Vijandran was the Chairman of the MIC Constitutional amendment committee which drafted and formulated many of the provisions in the MIC Constitution as it appears today.
Vijandran rose to prominence in political arena through positions he held in MIC. Looks like the time has come for him to pay back his party by taking up the gigantic task of organising the historic MIC elections and to put the party in the right path and perspective.
“Vijandran may have his reservations about accepting responsibility of Election Committee Chairman. But the historic moment has arrived for him to put aside his personal reservations and to accept this responsibility to play a key role without fear or favour, to lay the foundation to bring back the party to its original position. He is the only one who can conduct the elections in a proper manner to avoid the party plunging into further turmoil. I think he will accept the responsibility provided he is given a free and independent hand to run the elections” said one of his close friends from the legal fraternity.
Vijandran could not be reached for his comments.
-R.Mutharasan
