MIC president S Samy Vellu today hit out at his long-term deputy and accused him of waging a silent campaign to take over the party leadership.

He said Subramaniam was conducting his 'proxy war' via the embattled Malaysia Nanban newspaper, which is current embroiled in an internal problem .

According to the president, this has been happening since his deputy failed to unseat him in the 1989 contest.

"He has been waging this silent campaign all this while through the Malaysia Nanban newspaper which was owned by his close friend," he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

Samy claimed that the newspaper, which is known to be closely aligned to Subramaniam, had created 'confusions and problems' in MIC and the Indian politics.

He said there was also a silent underground campaign with some quarters sending short messaging service (SMS) to Subramaniam's supporters to gain support.

"They are hoping that these SMS would be passed on to others and would help gain as much sympathy as possible," he added.

President's right

Samy, who is also works minister, said the party president had the right to choose his running mates to contest for the various positions in the party which will hold its election in June next year.

"It is the democratic right of the president and it is the delegates who have the final say whether to vote for the president's team or not", he said, adding that he has "almost decided" on who his running mates would be.

Samy, who has been helming the party for more than two decades, has openly endorsed vice-president G Palanivel ( pix ) for the number two post.

Commenting on this recently, Subramaniam said he would defend the post .

The former deputy minister also refuted speculations that he would go for broke and challenge the president instead.

Contacted later, Subramaniam said he would comment on the issue tomorrow.