The MIC battle being waged on the pages of the partisan Tamil dailies saw an Aussie touch being added today.

In a column published in Malaysia Nanban , the writer likened deputy president hopeful G Palanivel to a joey or baby kangaroo in the protection of its mother - president S Samy Vellu.

Palanivel, the current vice-president, is Samy Vellu's preferred choice for the number two post.

Malaysia Nanban , on the other hand, is aligned to the president's estranged deputy S Subramaniam.

The writer criticised Samy Vellu over his aggressive campaigning for his chosen candidate, claiming that several veteran politicians were feeling uncomfortable about this.

He also likened the drama in the president's campaign to a movie.

The column also reminded readers that Subramaniam had worked hard to reach the deputy president post while Palanivel 'parachuted' in without any grassroots work.

Influenced others

Meanwhile, it was Subramaniam and his supporters who came under fire in the Tamil Nesan newspaper, which is aligned with the president.

The daily accused the deputy president of using others to serve his aims. These included politicians like MG Pandithan and the late K Pathmanaban.

They were influenced by Subramaniam to work against the president and suffered for this latter, it claimed.

Tamil Nesan also reiterated that Subramaniam and his supporters, namely veteran leader V Govindaraj, were seeking supernatural intervention to win this Saturday's elections.

Govindaraj is rumoured to have brought in three shamans from India to ensure that Palanivel is defeated, claimed the daily.

This weekend's contest is being touted as a turning point in the party's history with Subramaniam's political future hanging in the balance.

A total of 1,441 delegates from all over the country will be casting their ballots at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.