Veteran MIC leader V Govindaraj today claimed that party president S Samy Vellu and his preferred choice of candidates are practicing money politics.

In a no-holds barred press conference in Kuala Lumpur, he claimed that they are organising lavish dinners at five-star hotels to woo voters.

Govindaraj - who was recently dropped from the party's Central Working Committee (CEC) by Samy Vellu - also alleged that the president had split the Indian community.

He also claimed that Samy Vellu is not governing the party in a democratic manner. "It's a dictatorship and it's crystal clear," he charged

The party veteran lambasted the president for treating his estranged deputy S Subramaniam in a manner "worse than a dog".

"There's something wrong somewhere with his (Samy Vellu's) behaviour. It would be good if he could see a psychiatrist before the (party elections)," he mocked.

He also described the president in Tamil as an "egotistical and stubborn" leader.

The MIC elections will take place on June 24 and the contest for deputy presidency will be the highlight of the day.

Subramaniam will be defending his post against current vice-president G Palanivel, who is Samy Vellu's preferred choice.

Fair polls? I don't think so

Meanwhile, Govindaraj, when asked, said he did not believe that the party elections will be fair.

"While the MIC elections committee promises a fair contest. I don't think so. He (Samy Vellu) will get involved and penetrate," he added.

He also claimed that there was a 'hidden agenda' behind Samy Vellu's backing for Palanivel but declined to elaborate on it.

On the same note, Govindaraj urged delegates to vote for Subramaniam irrespective of their caste and creed.

The party veteran also dismissed a report in a Tamil daily today which suggested that he is on the lookout for shamans to boost Subramaniam's prospects at the polls.

The Tamil Nesan newspaper - which is aligned with Samy Vellu - claimed that rumours are circulating that Govindaraj is searching as far as in India for supernatural intervention.

"Who said so? Samy Vellu is the chief bomoh (shaman) and I did not go and see him," replied Govindaraj sarcastically.

Samy Vellu could not be reached for comment.