MIC deputy president Dr S Subramaniam today took pains to explain that he shared a good relationship with his party boss G Palanivel despite criticisms aimed at the latter’s leadership of the party.

Following the Registrar of Societies’ (ROS) order for MIC to hold fresh party polls but sparing the top two posts, Subramaniam said he often hold discussion with his boss.

“I have always shared a good relationship with him. We will sit down and discuss about the future,” said the health minister, indicating that he is still loyal to Palanivel.

Subramaniam flayed “certain quarters” for creating disharmony within the party, saying that solutions can only be found if unity within the party prevails at this troubling juncture.

Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia ran a scathing editorial on Palanivel on Sunday, asking him to either resign or buck up following the ROS debacle.

On Monday, Subramaniam refused to answer questions on the Utusan editorial.

The ROS had been investigating MIC over complaints about irregularities in the party polls that was conducted last year in Malacca.

Palanivel, who is minister of natural resources and environment, had also come under severe criticism for his handling of the fatal Cameron Highlands disaster last month - the second time a landslide had claimed lives there since he became MP for the constituency.

Subramaniam did not contest against Palanivel for the top post after an agreement was reached that the latter would not re-contest the top post at the next party election, which is due in 2016.