MIC vice-president Dr S Subramaniam has today denied endorsing V Mugilan as party's candidate for the Hulu Selangor by-election over party deputy president G Palanivel.

Referring to a Malaysiakini report yesterday, Subramaniam's press secretary E Sivabalan said the report attempts to create animosity between the minister and Palanivel.

"It is a blatant lie aimed at causing friction between MIC leaders and members," said Sivabalan, who urged journalists in general to verify all facts.

NONE According to Sivabalan, Subramaniam ( right ) is fully behind the MIC leadership's decision to recommend Palanivel to Barisan Nasional chairperson Najib Abdul Razak as the Hulu Selangor candidate.

"We support the decision and we are working to ensure a BN victory in the by-election," he said.

In a similar vein, MIC Youth chief T Mohan denied news reports that Subramaniam's position would be on jeopardy should Palanivel be succeed in winning the Hulu Selangor by-election.

"Subramaniam's sterling performance as a minister is enough to ensure that he remains in the cabinet regardless of the outcome of the Hulu Selangor by-election.

"MIC Youth is confident that if the MIC proves the support from the community via a victory for BN in the by-election, the Prime Minister will consider awarding another Cabinet position to Palanivel," said Mohan in a statement today.

As such, said Mohan, there was no need to speculate about Cabinet positions.

Yesterday, Najib quashed rumours that the Umno would be fielded in Hulu Selangor, stressing that he is considering candidates from MIC, but was mum on a possible candidate.