Professor P Ramasamy normally writes well-researched and correct opinions. However, in his piece MIC polls: What the future holds he has made glaring errors.

Firstly, just because G Palanivel is S Samy Vellu's man, victory in his bid for the MIC deputy president's post is far from assured. In fact, being the president's man may be his ruin.

Secondly, Ramasamy speaks about Subramaniam seeking some kind of Umno intervention to stop the contest. What a shallow perception. Since the 1970s, as far as I am aware, Subramaniam has always been close with all the Barisan Nasional leaders, unlike the MIC leader. That has, and will in the future, stand him in good stead to 'deliver' which, as Ramasamy also alludes to, the present leadership has failed miserably.

Thirdly, where did Ramasamy get the impression that Indian Malaysians 'expect aggressive and emotional leaders'? On the contrary, there is the yearning for the calm and cool leadership of the substance of VT Sambanthan and V Manickavasagam. Empty vessels may make the most noise but they also don't deliver.

Next, the ousting of MG Pandithan from MIC, and the earlier sacking of V Govindaraj - acts that split the Indian community - were unilateral moves of the leadership, made under severe protestations by Subramaniam and the late K Pathmanaban. It is hitting below the belt to blame the well-respected Pathmanaban for Pandithan leaving the MIC.

Cruel I would say, for I know how hard Dato Pathma fought to prevent Pandithan from being sacked, and how hard he tried to get Pandithan back into the MIC. Ramasamy says, 'Pandithan is of the opinion that he would not have been ousted from MIC had it not been for Subramaniam and the late vice-president K Pathmanaban'. This a distortion of the truth.

June 24 will reveal Subramaniam's support within and without the party. Even the professor must admit that once elected, Subra will be in the mould of Sambanthan and Manickavasagam under whose tutelage he came into active service in the MIC.

It is then the prof will eat his words and admit that Subra's close rapport with Barisan leaders over the years, was not to seek their "divine intervention" in the affairs of the party, but to ensure that Indian Malaysians get their share of everything the Barisan can deliver.

The MIC, which was once an equal partner of Umno and MCA in the 70s, now stands impotent, unable to deliver. As for what kind of leader the anointed candidate of the president will be, Ramasamy says it will be a continuation of the status quo and that, 'Many Malaysian Indians have given up on MIC. They have come to the conclusion that the party can do little or nothing for the community'.

This is the kind of leadership the MIC will get if the president's anointed successor wins. I think the MIC voters are wise enough to know that the next deputy president will be in line for the presidency and will choose wisely.