Samy's first encounter with this segregation-based politics started when his then party vice-president MG Pandithan rebelled against his authority who left to form the caste-free Indian Progressive Front (IPF) which left a bad taste in Samy's mouth.

Now, Samy and his factions have not only to face caste politics, but also face the headache of money politics allegedly being practised by opposing party members.

samy vellu pc 160409 01 "Datuk Seri is now more concerned about caste politics rather than money politics, which can be dealt with by the party's disciplinary committee", revealed a close aide of the leader.

"He fears that the revival of the caste voting system will throw a spanner in the works at efforts to unite the party members at the up-coming party elections", the source further added.

Last night on a TV3 interview, Samy stated that he will now complete his term of office at the end of 2012 as he fears that caste factions have been formed and there is a possibility of the party splitting if he steps down this year.

He has also stated that after he steps down, the door will be open to anyone to contest the top post, as Malaysiakini had recently speculated.

Money politics?

On the issue of money politics in the party, the source said that Samy is getting feedback on this matter from supporters and the party disciplinary committee may soon take action based on its findings.

s subramaniam nesa multipurpose cooperative agm launch 26062009 The media has gone into high gear highlighting caste politics which may see the president's men suffering an unprecedented defeat at the up-coming party elections with the possibility of former party deputy president S Subramaniam (right) making a comeback in his bid for the deputy's post.

However, party sources state that ground realities speak otherwise as the shadow of Samy still looms heavily over the delegates.

The ground work for the president's men to win the party's elections has been made simpler with Samy's candidates winning the Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings elections recently.

MIC Youth coordinator T Mohan with the blessings of Samy's son, Vel Pari, won the wing's top post by a big majority while incumbent Wanita chief P Komala Devi, aligned to deputy president G Palanivel's camp, narrowly beat her challenger Perak state chief S Thangasvari by 26 votes to retain her post.

Another of Palanivel's supporters, party youth political bureau head V Mugilan won the deputy MIC Youth chief's post.

The Youth and Wanita wings will each contribute 35 delegates while the Puteri wing will sent 15 delegates with a total of 85 votes to the party's elections.

Block voting?

Another party insider states that Samy's team may win the party elections with the support of "block voting", a form of voting of which 85 votes may go in the chief's direction.

The source further stated that 60 percent of the 140 party division chiefs nationwide have grown up politically with their leader and will support his team. As for the balance 40 percent of new division chiefs, there is a possibility of them also supporting Samy's men as they have been previously groomed by former division chiefs who are party chief loyalists.

Samy's choice for the deputy post is incumbent Palanivel while his three vice-presidents are Human Resources Minister and MIC secretary-general Dr S Subramaniam, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and MIC treasurer-general S K Devamany and Deputy Federal Territories Minister and MIC Information chief M Saravanan.

Another senior party leader has also come out in support of Palanivel who stated that the incumbent can work closely with Samy who also supports his candidacy and Palanivel has fulfilled all his promises to party members and the majority of grassroots who support him.

As for his two challengers of S Subramaniam and S Sothinathan, the incumbent has the edge and the two may not pose any danger to Palanivel's post.