Uphill task for Subra, Sothi

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KUALA LUMPUR: The odds are stacked against former MIC deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam and vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan in their bid to win the number two post if the number of nominations in their favour is anything to go by.

MIC election committee chairman Datuk K. Vijayanathan said incumbent deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel had received 184 nominations, while Sothinathan had 10 and Subramaniam four.

Each nomination consists of one proposer and five seconders, all from delegates attending the MIC general assembly on Sept 12.

Based on the nominations, Palanivel would have the support of 1,104 delegates, while Sothinathan and Subramaniam would have the support of 60 and 24 delegates respectively.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has endorsed Palanivel’s candidacy. The latter is expected to take over the party when Samy Vellu leaves after completing his term in 2012.

Subramaniam, a deputy president for over 24 years before losing to Palanivel by 438 votes in 2006, is contesting as he wants to become party president.

The nominations, which closed on Saturday, seemed to indicate that the delegates have aligned themselves with Samy Vellu and his preferred team.

The MIC chief has also endorsed the candidacies of three vice-president nominees – secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, treasurer Datuk S.K. Devamany and information chief Datuk M. Saravanan – who are holding government posts.

Dr Subramaniam had the highest number of nominations (135) followed by Devamany with 127 and Saravanan with 99; followed by the other candidates Datuk S. Balakrishnan (five), Datuk V.K.K. Teagarajah (two), P. Subra-maniam (three), K.P. Samy and P. Mariayee (one each).

Samy Vellu who was campaigning in the Federal Territory for Palanivel on Saturday, said Palanivel had helped in obtaining welfare aid for poor Indians when he was the deputy minister in the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry until 2008.

Samy Vellu also rebutted allegations he had given up a minister’s portfolio when he took over the presidency in 1979.

“In fact, when Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Athi Nahappan died in 1976, then MIC president Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam exchanged it (the minister’s post) for two deputy ministers’ posts, to be given to Subramaniam and Datuk K. Path-manaban,” he said.