A week after the MIC decided to reinstate nine of its members who were sacked, dropped or left on their own accord after March 2008 and in 2009, a controversy is brewing over the central working committee's decision.

Though the objective of the exercise was stated to be the need to strengthen the party to face the coming 13th general election, it is known that the decision was not unanimous, with some considering it as violating the party constitution.

Rule 61.5 of the MIC constitution states, "After the expiry of two years from the date of expulsion, such expelled member may re-apply for membership to the central working committee through a branch congress."

NONE Of the nine, the most controversial figures are former deputy Youth chief V Mugilan, Youth representative on the CWC G Kumar Amaan and CWC member KP Samy.

The decision to reinstate the nine included a condition that the offer must be accepted within 30 days of the date of the decision.

A source said the party's deputy president, Dr S Subramaniam ( right ), had opposed the move to reinstate the expelled members, citing this rule.

Political twists and turns

Another source close to Youth leader T Mohan pointed out that Mugilan, Kumar and Samy were expelled just about a year ago, following their involvement in the "GAS" movement that pushed for the resignation of Samy Vellu, who has since resigned as party president.

But party information chief S Vel Paari likened it to the government's action in the case of illegal foreign workers in the country.

"Look at what the government had done. Foreign workers in the country had committed an offence by entering the country unlawfully. They were to be punished.

"But the government had given them an amnesty. Likewise we gave them amnesty. It was done for the good of the party and in the spirit of ‘forget and forgive', he said.

On rule 61.5, he claimed that the CWC has the power to interpret and decide on rules which cannot be challenged.

When asked if he had been offered anything like a chance in the Sungai Siput parliamentary constituency in the next general election as an inducement to back the move when earlier he had been rumoured to have opposed it, he categorically denied it.

Sanctity of constitution under question

NONE And Vel Paari (right ) retorted: "If an offer comes by, what's wrong in accepting it. We did this for the sole purpose of strengthening the party. I had briefed my father about it and he had given his consent."

One senior member of the CWC, on condition of anonymity, said: "It is unconstitutional. All that is needed to be done is to make a report to the Registrar of Societies."

The decision to reinstate also included the condition that the offer must be accepted within 30 days of the date of decision.

NONE Mugilan, Kumar and Samy ( left ) are expected to hand in their letter of acceptance by this afternoon.

Mugilan and Kumar were reluctant to say anything other than confirming their decision to accept the offer and "it will be done by Saturday".

But KP Samy sounded happy about the decision to reinstate him, giving an indiction that the three would hand in their letter of acceptance by midday to party treasurer KS Nijar, who has been assigned to handle the matter.

Referring to the unconstitutional aspect of the CWC decision, KP Samy said that in the past so many such decisions had been taken. If somebody wanted to report to the ROS, "it is his right."

On whether he regretted spearheading the GAS (Gerakan Anti-Samy) movement against the former president Samy Vellu, he replied in the negative.

"I did it in the interests of the party. I had nothing personal against the president. Come to our press conference on Saturday. I have more to say," he added.