Disgruntled MIC branch leaders of Hulu Selangor said that they felt let down by BN for not picking their division chief G Palanivel to contest the April 25 by-election but hoped that time will help soothe their disappointment.

hulu selangor by-election mic division protest 140410 mic division information chief s raily muniandy "It was decided by the (MIC) central committee... We are a little disappointed but in a day or two everything should be fine," said Hulu Selangor information chief Raily Muniandy ( left ).

"I'm not sure how the grassroot members will react... but given time and explanation, things should be fine," he said.

Yesterday MIC national information chief P Kamalanathan was named as BN's candidate for the polls after the party’s sole choice, deputy chief Palanivel, was dropped.

Seasoned politician Palanivel, 61, who had served for four terms in the constituency from 1990 to 2008, was tipped to lead the charge in the by-election.

However, BN top guns rejected Palanivel , who is seen as a tired old face.

NONE Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin depicted Kamalanathan, 44, as a "new breeze" in the Hulu Selangor constituency.

Despite being seen as a lightweight, Muhyiddin said the rookie politician was a capable contender against Pakatan Rakyat's Zaid Ibrahim, 59.

 "At first everyone was fed-up when we heard that someone other than a MIC candidate would be fielded and that was why we held the meeting to protest against the candidacy of anyone else but Palanivel," said Muniandy.

The Hulu Selangor parliamentary was dedicated to MIC since 1986, however, after Palanivel had lost the general election by razor thin majority of 198 votes to Pakatan's Zainal Abiden Ahmad in 2008, BN component party, Umno in particular, lobbied for the seat to be given to a Malay leader, or local-born, MIC national deputy Youth chief V Mugilan.

Disconcerted over the sudden shift, Palanivel's supporters had issued an ultimatum to BN just 24 hours before the announcement of their candidate.

Asked whether the rift with other parties, namely Umno and Mugilan, would undermine the election campaign, Muniandy said:

"We will work together as team because we are all from Barisan Nasional".

 In the same vein, Hulu Selangor division secretary and Taman Rasa Utama branch leader R Sittambaram said that they have to accept the top leadership's decision.

"He (Kamalanathan) lives nearby, he is young, he is educated... so we will make it our job to introduce him to the grassroots," he said.

 Sittambaram explained that their priority  was to retain the seat for MIC, and as that had been settled, he will lead the 120 members under his command to help BN win.

Sungai Gapi election center deputy director S Lingam said that Palanivel, if made a candidate and had he won, he would have been appointed to a ministerial post.

"But it should not be a problem now... we have already closed ranks so we should not burn down the house," said Lingam.

He added that the community only wants a candidate with concern for them and Kamalanathan should be prepared for that.

Hulu Selangor Women wing chief Letchimi, who vowed to resign in the event Palanivel was not chosen also changed her tune.

 "We have no choice now although we are disappointed... but don't ask me about it anymore" she added angrily, before cutting off the telephone call.

Samy to meet local leaders

In another development, MIC president S Samy Vellu and Kamalanathan is scheduled to meet representatives from all 72 Hulu Selangor MIC branches at 5pm today at the Kuala Kubu Baru MIC operation centre.

It is understood that the meeting was meant to "restore the motivation and fighting spirit" of the campaign workers.

NONE "When the local leaders hear Samy Vellu and Kamalanathan's explanation later, they will feel more inspired to campaign," said Taman Juta MIC branch chief KD Raj ( left ).

Raj was commenting on apparent unhappiness over the BN's decision to drop Palanivel.

A quick check by Malaysiakini revealed that many MIC operation centres in the constituency were not active.

Raj admits that due to the uncertainties over the candidates, some operation centres have slowed down. 

Palanivel 'played out' by MIC boss