Presidential hopeful M Muthupalaniappan has been sacked from MIC, shattering his dreams to oust long-term president, S Samy Vellu.

However, he has an opportunity to appeal within 14 days of the date of the 'sacked letter', which he received from the party’s disciplinary committee on Jan 21.

m muthupalaniappan mic disciplinary inquiry 200109 01 According to the letter, Muthupalaniappan, 68, was sacked after he "contravened the principles of the Congress and acted in a manner detrimental to the interests of the Congress".

"The disciplinary committee accordingly decided to expel you from membership of the Congress with immediate effect," said committee chairperson G Vadiveloo in the letter.

Muthupalaniappan’s sacking was not an altogether surprising turn of events as the former vice-president and MIC Negeri Sembilan chief has been a vocal critic of his arch-rival Samy Vellu.

Since announcing his intention to contest for the top post, Muthupalaniappan has fired volley after volley of criticism against his former ally who has helmed the party for three decades and has been accused of being responsible for MIC's disastrous showing in the March 2008 general election.

Muthupalaniappan’s criticisms ticked off the party and he was accused of working against the interest of MIC and slapped with a show-cause letter.

However, observers claimed that it could have been an attempt to stop the presidential hopeful from contesting against Samy Vellu as the former could face the likelihood of a suspension, or even expulsion, if found guilty.

In the show-cause letter dated Dec 23 last year, the former MIC vice-president was accused of making baseless allegations against the leadership in an article which appeared in Tamil daily Makkal Osai in November and an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini last month, where among others, he spoke about the closing and formation of MIC branches to serve political aims.

'The right time not to be a member'

However, in a statement issued this afternoon, Muthupalaniappan appeared unperturbed about the latest development.

mic youth division launch pc 040908 samy vellu 02 He said he was "happy as it is the right time for me not to be a member of MIC. If I continue to be one, I will also be branded as a traitor to the community, Barisan Nasional and the nation as a whole".

He again slammed Samy Vellu, accusing him of using the MIC presidency as a "shield".

"I hope sooner or later MIC grassroots will place MIC interests before themselves," he said.

Muthupalaniappan, who has been the party’s Negeri Sembilan chief for 16 years, however felt that he had "brought a lot of development, changes and benefit to the Indian community and the state to the satisfaction of the entire Indian community in the state".

"(But) That was MIC before," he said.