MIC vice-president S Sothinathan has announced his candidacy for the deputy president position, paving way for a likely three-corner fight in the upcoming party polls.

ijok by election mic campaign 250407 sothinathan The announcement was made following a meeting with some 70 party branches in Port Dickson today.

Incumbent G Palanivel is expected to announce that he would be defending his deputy-president post, while former party deputy-president S Subramaniam has also announced his candidacy.

Should Palanivel win in the September party polls, he is widely tipped to takeover from his mentor and party president S Samy Vellu, and serve as acting party president.

When contacted by Malaysiakini , Sothinathan said that he had offered himself as a candidate following consultations with party leaders, grassroots and the Indian community nationwide.

He said that he had also conveyed his intentions to contest for the post to Samy Vellu and there were no objections.

“I have discussed this with the president and conveyed to him why I am standing. He advised me to think carefully and make a decision,” he said.

Sothinathan, 49, said that his decision to contest was to bring change to the party and restore Indian community's confidence, especially the youth.

“I am committed to bringing changes for the betterment of the Indian community and country, as well as ensuring that the Indian community plays a prominent role in the country’s development,” he said.

Asked if he was confident of winning, especially in view of facing party heavyweights, Sothinathan replied, “I’m confident of winning because I’m confident of my endeavours”.

‘I’m a Samy man’

He said that over the past 15 years, he had been able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the party and has able to address its needs.

samy vellu pc 160409 02 However, he brushed off suggestions that his candidacy would hamper Samy Vellu’s (right) widely speculated plan to ensure Palanivel remains number two.

“Since my graduation in 1984, I have only committed myself to him (Samy Vellu) and the party’s struggle. Even after my defeat in the 2008 general election, I did not throw in the towel," said the former Teluk Kemang Parliamentarian.

“I stood firmly by the party and the president because I believe that MIC can (once again) become very strong in the future,” he added.

According to a Bernama report on Thursday, Samy Vellu has given his blessings to his former press secretary-turned-deputy Palanivel to retain the post.

It is an open secret in MIC circles that Sothinathan is Samy Vellu’s blue-eyed boy. Samy Vellu is said to have chanced upon Sothinathan in the early 80's and financed his studies overseas.

After finishing his studies, Sothinathan steadily rose up the party ranks to become vice-president and natural resources and environment deputy minister in the process, until 2008.