A MIC Central Working Committee (CWC) member KP Samy today asked party president S Samy Vellu to step down by this year for the sake of the community.

“We need an immediate change in the party to save the interest of the Indian community,” he told reporters, here today.

When asked why the president should step down now, the outspoken critic of Samy Vellu said the MIC chief already has enough time to serve the party.

kp samy interview 300108 point "We (the party) will get the Indians to unite again after he steps down," he said.

Furthermore, KP Samy ( left ) said as proven in the 2008 general election where the party took a beating, the community already rejected both the president and his deputy G Palanivel.

    

"They should get the message from the community. They must give way to others to make sure the party survives," he added.

KP Samy said he was against the party president's wish to step down only eight or nine months before his term expires in May, 2012.

Samy Vellu, 74, was re-elected for the ninth time last year.

Several quarters have openly called for the party chief to retire early.

Yesterday, MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan was expelled for asking the party president to vacate his post at the latest by year-end.

- Bernama