After disappearing off the radar screen for some time, former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam has announced that he would be attempting to reclaim the post which he had held for nearly two decades.

s subramaniam makkal osai pc 270807 statement This confirmed speculations that the 65-year-old politician had been working hard to resuscitate his ailing political career, which observers in the past claimed was dealt a fatal blow when he lost to G Palanivel in the 2006 party polls.

However, the March 8 general election last year which witnessed the near obliteration of MIC had dramatically altered the landscape, providing Subramaniam with a new lease of life.

Subramaniam, who was also a former deputy minister, revealed his decision to contest for the seat when opening his Seputeh MIC division delegates conference this morning.

"80 percent of the MIC delegates have already been selected and the remaining 20 percent would be picked by this weekend," he said in his speech.

"A lot of them have asked me to contest for the deputy president post. So, today I am announcing that I would contest for the deputy presidentship," he was quoted as saying in news reports.

mic deputy presiden contest subra palanivel 040606 In the previous elections, Palanivel was endorsed by MIC president S Samy Vellu who also launched a vicious attack on Subramaniam in the run up to the contest.

The bad blood between the president and his former estranged deputy is legendary. But the two veterans had since patched up in the aftermath of the last general election in order to rebuild the tattered party.

This move however did not go down well with some of Subramaniam's close aides and supporters who had stood beside him during his protracted struggle against the president.

Subaramaniam is also said to have struck a deal with the president's son Vell Paari, who is vying for the vice-president's post with several divisions already having nominated him.

Palanivel: All the best

Contacted this afternoon, Palanivel said he wishes Subramaniam all the best in his bid to wrest the deputy presidency.

palanivel "Normally, I have not gone for early announcements. Even though in 2006, the president announced my candidacy 11 months earlier, I waited till a week before nominations, to announce.

"Now that I am the incumbent deputy president, I do not have to be in a rush or get impatient over announcing my candidacy," he said.

"After all the party elections is only in September," added the former deputy minister, who was one of those defeated in the last general election which also saw the entire top echelon - president included - save for secretary-general Dr S Subramaniam being wiped out.

Party insiders claimed that Palanivel had been working the ground intensively, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning to shore up support.

"He is going all out and the feedback is quite encouraging. His prospects look bright even if it is a four-cornered fight," they said.

"Furthermore, he is not dogged by any controversies or excess baggage.

"Even the Umno leadership might be receptive to the idea of him taking over the reins in future to win back the support of the Indian community," they added.

Apart from the duo, the other expected contenders are secretary-general and human resources minister Subramaniam as well as current vice-president and former deputy minister S Sothinathan.

dr s subramaniam interview 210308 05 "Many feel MIC needs a personality like Dr Subramaniam at the helm. He is clean, articulate and polished. He would definitely give the party's image a boost and take it to new heights. He is also accepted by the Umno leadership," said insiders.

"But whether he is a strong politician who would be able to command the grassroots. Now that is a different story altogether," they added.

ijok by election mic campaign 250407 sothinathan Insiders also said that Sothinathan should not be written off.

But they noted that the Telekom shares issue continues to hang over his head like the 'Sword of Damocles' despite the repeated denials of any wrongdoings.

Will it be an open contest?

Another important factor to the equation is whether Samy Vellu would allow the race for number two to be an open contest or would he endorse a particular candidate.

Taking into consideration of what had transpired since last March, one party insider noted: "In the past, being bestowed the title 'president's choice' would automatically spell victory for that candidate."

samy vellu exclusive on tamil schools 080708 06 "But so much has changed since then, now the president's endorsement could actually prove to be perilous for the candidate," he said.

However, another party member close to the leadership disagreed with this view.

"Bear in mind that it is not the Indian community or Umno which is voting. It is the 1,500 MIC delegates.

"Samy Vellu's opinion could still make or break a person in the party. Don't forget that he was returned as president for the 11th term uncontested," he argued.

Another source said much also hinges on which leader would agree to safeguard the political interests of the president's son in MIC.

"Whatever it is, come September rest assured of fireworks," he said.