MIC president S Samy Vellu has slammed those who called for his immediate resignation, saying no one should put pressure on him to relinquish the post because he had already laid out the party's leadership transition plan.

"I've announced that I will relinquish the post, what else do they want? I've also set the date for the transition of power, what else they want me to do?

NONE "Should we support these people who want to ruin the party?" he said when opening the Negeri Sembilan MIC Convention at Wisma MIC today.

Among those present was secretary-general S Murugessan, who had yesterday ticked Samy Vellu off for the sacking of four party dissidents.

Other top leaders there were deputy president G Palanivel, vice presidents Dr S Subramaniam and SK Devamany, treasurer Jaspal Singh, Wanita chief Komala Krishnamoorthy and state chairman T Rajagopalu.

Samy Vellu claimed that there were attempts by certain groups to create tension in the party and make MIC irrelevant.

'Quit now' call

Samy Vellu had announced last week that he would relinquish his post in August or September next year but several leaders, including the then MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan, called for his immediate resignation.

Invoking his powers as president, Samy Vellu sacked Mugilan and three others for  that call.

Mugilan had formed the Anti-Samy Vellu movement, or known by its acronym GAS, and is set to hold a rally tomorrow to demand the president's immediate resignation.

Saying that crisis could weaken the MIC, Samy Vellu called on members to unite and safeguard the party.

"It is my responsibility to ensure that the party is strong prior to handing over the post as president to my successor," he said.

He also said that the MIC had its own way of managing its affairs and that there was no need for "outsiders" to interfere.

Party's sec-gen slammed

Meanwhile, Selangor MIC information chief L Sivasubramaniam, a Samy Vellu loyalist, criticised Murugessan for biting the hand that feeds him.

“Murugessan got no right to criticise the president as it was Samy Vellu who put him in this position (secretary-general). What has he done for MIC or the Indian community to question Samy Vellu?” he told Malaysiakini .

According Sivasubramaniam, the MIC secretary-general was disgruntled after being overlooked as a candidate for last month’s Hulu Selangor by-election.