First of all, I would have to agree with Prof P Ramasamy's appraisal of the impending MIC elections. He was in the opinion that G Palanivel stands to win the coming vice-presidential elections, and I personally don t see how 'Stallion Subra', as he was referred to in one letter , can even give Palanivel a run for his money. I am not a Palanivel supporter, neither Subra's, but circumstances are such that Stallion Subra is facing an uphill task against the entire Samy machinery.

It is also an open secret that Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and other Umno top guns have consented for Palanivel to take on Stallion Subra, believing it to be an MIC internal affair, which it is. To make matters worse, Subra is now increasingly seen by MIC members as cowardly for responding to Samy's allegations with mere subtle denials.

This was further demonstrated when he refused to contest for the presidency, despite an open challenge by the president. How do you expect MIC members, even those who were sympathetic towards Subra in the past, to now vote for him now?

Ex-MIC Officer may like to think Indians do not need an aggressive leader, but our situation in this country is such that only one with this quality may have a better chance to battle our claims with the ruling Umno elites.

From experience, we can never expect our rights to be delivered to us on a silver plate by the latter if we have the so-called patient Subra pleasing them and saying anything. Palanivel, on the other hand, is largely untested but may just lead MIC one day with the current passive trends. In my opinion, he is not going to make any major deviations from Samy's policies and hence the elections are meaningless for most MIC members and the Indians at large.