Dramatic showdown expected in MIC presidential polls

The presidential polls for Malaysia's largest ethnic Indian-based political party MIC may witness a dramatic showdown between current supremo G Palanivel and his deputy Dr S Subramaniam in September.
Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) presidential elections are slated to be held in September.
MIC strategy director S Vell Paari told Star paper that there was a 50-50 chance that the two leaders, both ministers in the current cabinet, could meet in a head-to-head clash at the upcoming polls.
Branch elections are being held between now and August 4, while the nomination day for the presidential post is set for September 1.

The presidential polls will take place on September 22, while elections for deputy president, three vice-presidents and 23 central working committee members are due in November.
Vell Paari, 51, son of former party president Samy Vellu said his father would not be making a comeback to politics.

Vell Paari said he would be running for a vice-presidential post.
"MIC is a democratic party and members have the right to go for posts as long as they have the nominations. I honestly am not sure if there is going to (be) a clash for the top post between the two (Palanivel and Subramaniam).

"I guess we will know the full picture on nomination day. At this moment it looks like 50-50 that there will be a clash between the two," said Vell Paari.
The call for change is now strong in the party, he said.
"The culture in the party needs to keep evolving. You must give people the freedom to talk. When somebody criticises you, you shouldn't curb it. I believe that dissent is part of governance and not disloyalty.
"In terms of Indian votes, the election did see a swing back to Barisan Nasional. But in terms of winning seats, it was not a good election for MIC," he added.