Samy’s exit sparks Subra-Palani rivalry
(TMI) MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has only just announced he is stepping down next year, but the fight to take the lead and become party spokesperson has already started between deputy president and successor Datuk G. Palanivel and senior vice-president Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam.
While Dr Subramaniam and his supporters like vice-president Datuk S. K. Devamani and Datuk S. Saravanan lament Samy Vellu’s impending departure as a big loss for the party and the Indian community, Palanivel has maintained a stony silence.
Dr Subramaniam openly wants Samy Vellu to be MIC adviser, but Palanivel says ominously that the “matter has to be discussed”.
Palanivel has done little to step into the vacuum Samy Vellu’s announcement has created, but Dr Subramaniam — the party’s only Cabinet member — has led the closing of ranks and preparation for the next general elections.
By keeping Samy Vellu as adviser, he placates many of his supporters.
Dr Subramaniam is also getting considerable limelight as Human Resources Minister and chairman of the Special Implementation Task Force for Indians, the implementation arm of the Task Force for Indians co-chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The other chair is Westports CEC Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam.
The Special Implementation Task Force is going around the country giving Indians direct access to government departments and agencies like the National Registration, Social Welfare and Skills Development departments, Socso and Tekun Nasional.
They have registered several thousand people in need of help in Ijok, Kulim, Sepang and other areas in a bid to win back Indian support for the Barisan Nasional.
How well the Task Force delivers on their promises will go a long way to shore up Dr Subramaniam’s position in the MIC and BN’s status among Indians.
Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/samys-exit-sparks-subra-palani-rivalry/
