MIC deputy president Dr S Subramaniam has announced today that he would be running for the presidency in the party's fresh re-elections, expected to be against former boss G Palanivel.

 

Subramaniam made his intentions known in a massive MIC event in Sentul today, attended by over 2,000 MIC members in a packed convention centre.

 

Party vice-president M Saravanan, MIC Youth chief C Sivaraajh, women's wing leader Mohana Muniandy and many other key party leaders all showed support for Subramaniam for his presidency bid.

 

"MIC has been in a state of inertia for the past five years," he said.

He said that he felt compelled to run for the presidency in order to save the party, which he claimed could become “zero” in the next elections if continues down the current path under the leadership of Palanivel.

Subramaniam’s announcement comes one day after Palanivel opted to prolong his feud with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) by threatening to take legal action against ROS if it does not withdraw the re-election directives issued against the party.

This was despite Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak intervening in the crisis and asking all party leaders to adhere to ROS’ decisions.

Normally reserved, Subramaniam took several potshots at Palanivel throughout his hour-long speech, mocking his leadership qualities and saying that Palanivel is acting merely for “selfish reasons”.

The presidential elections are expected to take place in May.