I refer to the letter Stallion Subra still very much in the race by Raj and after reading it, I have difficulties in holding back my laughter. First of all, I am a retired senior government servant who served in a sensitive department and therefore I don't want to be identified. I am from a political family and an insider to Tamil politics in Malaysia. If I say more, you can easily identify me.

Secondly, it is heartening that there is some debate over the coming MIC elections especially in the contest between old dog Subramaniam and newcomer G Palanivel. If Raj had gone to the Selangor MIC convention last week, he, too, will realise that the outcome for the number two post is a foregone conclusion. Hundreds of delegates mobbed Palanivel, very few headed towards Subramaniam. I was there as a guest and I saw it. You may say they are afraid but that is to say hundreds of people are suddenly cowards and all on the same night. I can't accept that.

After the convention Subramaniam went home. Palanivel stayed behind and was again mobbed by the delegates during dinner. Samy Vellu sang Tamil love songs as a blind musician played on his keyboard. There was a 'one, big happy family' kind of an atmosphere. I suddenly realised that night that my friend Subramaniam is not family but an outsider. K Baradan brought out the irony very well using the Barbie doll, bumble bee metaphors although I seldom like his criticism of the ruling circles.

Raj says Subramaniam has worked silently for the last 17 years. Maybe. But then it is election time now and now is the time to shout and boast about what you have done for 17 years. I can't hear Subramaniam shouting. Raj falls back on Subramaniam's personal qualities of maintaining and upholding the sanctity of the family unit, personal integrity and honesty as well as his personality who inspires quiet confidence, as reasons why he will win.

To my knowledge politics is about power and ability to project that power and win the hearts and minds of people. Politics is not about being good or bad or defending the family institution. Tamil politics is about hitting the road, house to house, shaking hands, showing up at funerals, birthdays and marriages and temple functions. It is about singing songs, entertaining, feeding, playing and aping around. It is not a job where you can switch off for the day and start again next morning. Is this Subramaniam?

The late V Manikavasagam brought in the English-educated Tamil middle class ie, Mahalingam, Muthupalaniappan and Subramaniam (his potential future son-in-law) into the MIC but by that time Samy was already making waves in the party.

But Subra the pretty boy could not jump and dance and mimic an ape. He could not sing old love songs that make some Tamil men go soft in the head. He could not tell stories or (worse) make up stories that could hold people's attention, that could send them home with a tale to tell their families or talk among themselves for months to come. He could not connect the delegates' heads with his heart and stir their passions. He could not tell stories about old Tamil kings, about ancient heroes and heroines and how they loved and hated and killed each other.

In the end, Subramaniam lost. He first lost to Samy in 1977 for the deputy presidency and again in 1989 for the president's post. What is embarrassing is that he has remained the deputy at the behest of Samy who is now telling him to get lost.

By the way, Samy will never be a statesman by any known measure though some Tamils will remember him with affection. He can hardly get up from a chair let alone walk up a stairs. Sadly, his days are numbered. The end is predictable, just see how Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Ling Liong Sik had their send-offs after placing their nominated successors in their former seats.

But Samy will not get a grand send-off as the one given to Mahathir though he might get a one equal to Ling's. While Mahathir is trying to make a comeback, Ling is happily enjoying his retirement. And Tun Samy, being a street fighter, will always be looking for a fight even after retirement. Guess who will be his favourite target?