I refer to Malaysiakini report Najib says it's MIC but leaves Palanivel in limbo on G.Palanivel been dropped as the choice BN candidate for the coming by-election in Hulu Selangor.

It appears that certain interested parties were behind the scenes to sideline the deputy president of MIC, Palanivel from the Hulu Selangor by election. Some believe it may be some kind of conspiracy of sorts to weaken Palanivel’s position in the MIC.

Palanivel is a well known figure in Hulu Selangor and its not true to paint a bad picture of him losing the support of the voters in Hulu Selangor whom he knows very well.

I believe Palanivel with the whole BN machinery behind him will definitely turn the tables against the opposition this time around if he is fielded again. The political situation and atmosphere is totally different from during the 12 ^th general election in which Palanivel lost the seat to a PKR candidate by a slim majority.

The political atmosphere in the country now seems to be swinging back to BN's favour. Under these circumstances, it is surprising to learn that the BN grassroots are against Palanivel being nominated as the BN candidate.

There are several reasons that have been speculated for this sudden change of candidate in the MIC. Some suspect factions within the MIC itself may have created this scenario and impressions.

If Palanivel were to win the by-election, he may be appointed a minister and this will somewhat bolster his position in the MIC further and it may somewhat upset the present status quo in the MIC pecking hierarchy.

The other reason tossed around is that if Palanivel wins, the prime minister may face a dilemma. Since Palanivel is a deputy president and a senior politician of MIC, the PM cannot slot him into a minor position.

This will be insulting and embarrassing to Palanivel and to the MIC. The PM may be faced with a situation where he has to offer Palanivel a full cabinet minister’s post.

This move may not be in favour of the other component parties. MIC has been viewed as one of the weakest minority component parties in the BN coalition and many feel it does not deserve another full cabinet post.

To overcome this anticipated scenario from turning into a reality, a method has to be devised to sideline Palanivel tactfully (purportedly using grassroots ‘sentiment’) and nominate a junior MIC candidate instead..

In the event this particular junior MIC candidate wins the by-election, he can be slotted into any of the minor positions in the BN government and it will be a win-win situation for all - except Palanivel of course..

Conspiracy or not, it looks like Palanivel's docile and somewhat laid back and frigid political stance all this while has put him in this pitiful and embarrassing situation.