High anticipation as MIC party election approaches
KUANTAN: MIC’s election to select a new leadership line-up next month is highly anticipated following the party’s dismal performance in the 14th General Election (GE14).
In a bid to revive the confidence of the Indian community in the party, several current officebearers have decided not to seek re-election to make way for new faces.
Former MIC vice-president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran, who was the sole nominee in the presidential election in June, won the post uncontested, replacing Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, who chose not to defend his post.
Talk is also rife that several aspiring new faces are hoping to replace the party’s office-bearers, with many old hands choosing to retire.
A party insider said Datuk S.K. Devamany would not defend the deputy president post; while Datuk S. Saravanan, a former vice-president who lost to Devamany in the party polls in 2015, is likely to throw his hat into the ring, especially as he is one of two MIC members who won parliamentary seats in GE14.
The insider said Devamany was retiring, while another possible candidate — Central Working Committee member Datuk S. Sothinathan — is no longer with the party. This leaves Saravanan with a chance to clinch the deputy post.
“The GE14 outcome was a blow to the party, and some candidates, who initially planned to seek re-election, have chosen not to. The newly-appointed president is aware that a formidable and trustworthy line-up can strengthen the party.
“Those going for positions in the party are aware of the situation, which is very different from the days when Barisan Nasional was in power. The last few months have been quiet, and once the new line-up is announced in October, MIC is expected to make several plans and move aggressively,” the source said.
Being one of the oldest political parties in the country, the source said MIC’s new office-bearers’ focus would be on how to reform the party and not use their positions to secure tickets to contest in the next general election.
Another source said it was too early to speculate on possible candidates in the party polls.
“The division elections were completed earlier this month, and next will be the Youth, Wanita, Putera and Puteri wings’ nominations, followed by the elections on Sept 15. The nationallevel Youth, Wanita, Putera and Puteri chiefs and their deputies will be announced on Sept 15.
While former vice-president Datuk Jaspal Singh will not seek re-election for the new term, party vice-president Datuk T. Mohan and Youth chief Datuk C. Sivarraajh are among those tipped for the three vice-president posts.