The race for the MIC's vice-president posts took a new turn when Kepong MIC division chairperson S Vell Paari withdrew from the race again.

Instead, the former party president's son said he will be contesting for a central working committee (CWC) post in the party's election, slated to be held on Nov 6.

In a statement today, Vell Paari said he had come to the decision after discussions with party leadership and regarded that it was not an easy decision to make.

"I have already travelled around the country campaigning as a candidate for vice-president. The majority said, in addition to my services, electing me was their way to repay my father for his sacrifices to MIC.

"But for party solidarity and unity, my need does not outweigh the need of MIC and the community. Hence, I am offering myself as a CWC candidate," he said.

He had offered himself for a similar post in the 2009 and 2013 party elections but had later withdrawn because of various issues that had dogged him.

Vel Paari had promised to not repeat his actions this time when he announced that he was running for a vice-president post almost two weeks ago.

For the vice-president race, there are now four leaders vying for the posts - former youth chiefs T Mohan and SA Vigneswaran, S Sunther, the son of fomer MIC deputy president S Subramaniam and MIC national information officer VS Mogan.

Some 1,500 delegates will vote in three vice-presidents and 23 CWC members at the party election held on Nov 6, at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang.

- Bernama