MIC deputy president G Palanivel today reitrated his support for party boss S Samy Vellu, who has been asked by several party leaders to vacate the MIC top post earlier than the third quarter of 2011.

NONE "In the past I have said that Samy Vellu has to be the one to decide when to leave. Now that he has decided to set the time to leave, let us work together to ensure a smooth transition," Palanivel ( right ) told Bernama when contacted today.

"As for me, I have said in the past that I am a leader in my own right and I always like to work together with everyone. Many in the media have asked me the question whether I am ready to take the helm.

"My answer is very simple...when the delegates voted me in 2006 and in 2009 (as deputy president), they were sure that they were voting in someone capable and experienced.

"The president too has always said that I have the capability," he added.

v mugilan press conference shows termination letter Palanivel was responding to statements by V Mugilan, the party deputy youth chief, and Petaling Jaya Selatan MIC division chief V. Subramaniam, better known as Barat Maniam, who had called on Samy Vellu to vacate the MIC number one post.

They felt that Samy Vellu, who became president in 1979, had let down the Malaysian Indian community and had overstayed his welcome in the post.

Samy Vellu, speaking at the Federal Territory MIC convention last weekend, announced that he would step down "seven to eight months" before his term ends in March 2012.

Since making the call, Mugilan and Subramaniam, have been expelled from the party by Samy Vellu, but the two leaders have said that they planned to appeal the expulsion.

- Bernama