It appears that the contest for the MIC deputy president post scheduled for June 24 is heating up. Both candidates, incumbent S Subramaniam and challenger vice-president G Palanivel are not taking things for granted.

While Subramaniam expects some kind of intervention from Umno leaders to stop the contest, Palanivel is working hard among the grassroots to ensure that he would be recognised as a leader capable of delivering the goods and not be seen as merely the president's man.

For the Indian community, the contest would be keenly watched as they would want to know the candidate who will head the MIC in time to come. In certain circles, it is a foregone conclusion that Palanivel with the endorsement of the president - S Samy Vellu - will win.

But it is certainly not going to be a walkover.