As nominations closed today, the stage is set for a battle royale when the MIC party election next month sees a nail-biting contest for the top posts, including that of deputy president where for the

first time, three candidates have thrown down the gauntlet.

NONE Incumbent G Palanivel ( right ), endorsed by party president S Samy Vellu, is defending the number two post against former long-time deputy president S Subramaniam and party vice-president S Sothinathan .

Eight aspirants are vying for the three vice-president posts, including party secretary-general and Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam , information chief and Deputy Federal Territories Minister M Saravanan , treasurer-general and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department SK Devamany .

Also in the contest are businessman and former Federal Territory MIC chief VKK Teagarajan , former central working committee (CWC) member KP Samy , Jelebu division leader P Mariayee who is the sole woman candidate for the post, businessman and CWC member S Balakrishnan and Kelana Jaya division vice-chairman P Subramaniam .

Sixty-five people are in the race for the CWC - the party's decision-making body - which offers 23 posts.

Election Committee chairman P Vijayanathan announced the full list of contestants after the two-hour nomination process closed at noon.

Samy Vellu plans to retire in three years

The three vice-presidential candidates endorsed by Samy Vellu - Dr S Subramaniam, Saravanan and Devamany - are all candidates with government posts at federal level.

With eight in the race, the trio, contesting for the first time to be elected vice-president, are facing a tough battle from the rest.

s subramaniam makkal osai pc 270807 shocked Meanwhile, the party's former deputy president, Subramaniam ( left ), who held the number two position since 1981 until his defeat to Palanivel in 2006 by 438 votes, is going for a rematch.

He intends to wrest back the deputy president post and hopefully, succeed long-time party president Samy Vellu who plans to retire in 2012 .

The political future of Palanivel, Subramaniam and Sothinathan - once a protege of the party president - will be decided by 1,400 delegates in the Sept 12 party election.

Another party vice-president S Veerasingham decided not to seek re-election while KS Nijhar quit the post, following a tiff with Samy Vellu.

Out of 65 contestants for the CWC, 38 candidates are battling 27 candidates endorsed and supported by Samy Vellu.

The party president has retained 12 incumbents to be in his official list in the CWC.

Samy Vellu, who was elected unopposed in March, told reporters that he decided to endorse 27 candidates to provide delegates choices to elect CWC members among his preferred ones.

1,000 throng MIC HQ for nominations

Meanwhile, about 1,000 party members and observers thronged the MIC headquarters as early as 8am, to render support to their respective leaders.

Supporters of former deputy president Subramaniam were seen carrying banners with the theme, 'Change for the Better' and were accompanied by an Indian traditional music band known as 'Urumi Mellam'.

Subramaniam filed his nomination papers at 10.17am, followed by Palanivel at 11.35am, about 25 minutes before nominations closed.

Sothinathan was the first to file his papers for the vice-president post, at 10.05am.

samy vellu cooperative interview 060709 01 Samy Vellu said, despite his backing, he wanted his endorsed candidates to work hard and win the hearts and minds of the delegates, adding that he was confident the election campaign would be smooth.

On allegations that he was running the campaign as if he was he candidate for deputy president, Samy Vellu said:

"I normally don't worry about Subra's (former deputy president Subramaniam) statements because I don't take him seriously in politics."

Key contestants confident of winning

Both the key contestants for deputy president - Palanivel and Subramaniam - expressed confident in emerging victorious.

Palanivel, whose political career suffered a setback following his unexpected defeat in the BN stronghold of Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat in last year's general election, described his chances as "very bright".

"With Datuk Seri's (Samy Vellu) full support, I think my chances are high (to win) in this election... (His backing) is one of the plus points for me," said the 60-year-old politician.

Subramaniam, 64, said that his confidence in winning the race was based on feedback he gathered from the delegates and party members.

"I am sure that I got strong support from every level of the party because I have more experience. I can get along with everyone and (I am) a person easy to work with," he added.

Subramaniam, who had served as deputy minister at various ministries in his 33-year political career and currently heading the Seputeh MIC division, said party members and the Indian community needed a leader who could bring about changes, regain the trust of the Indian community and make the party stronger and united.

"As a long-time leader, I am sure that I can do my job better than anyone else," he said, looking cheerful when he received thunderous applause from supporters when it was announced that his number in the ballot paper would be number one.

ijok by election mic campaign 250407 sothinathan Meanwhile, the youngest candidate, Sothinathan ( right ), 49, asked to comment on not being Samy Vellu's preferred candidate for the number two post, said "such blessing was unimportant".

Minister is clear favourite for VP

"I am in this battle and I do not regard blessings from any individual as important. What is important is the support from the people, If there is support, it means we can face the challenge and this is relevant to the current political situation," said the incumbent vice-president.

Sothinathan said that he offered himself for the post to bring much-needed changes and reforms in the party.

dr s subramaniam interview 210308 01 Dr S Subramaniam ( left ) - the sole Indian representative in the cabinet - is tipped to be a clear favourite to win in the race for one of three vice-president posts, according to party insiders.

The 56-year-old skin specialist is expected to garner enough votes from the 1,464 delegates.

Samy Vellu's son, Vell Paari, said he was not contesting the vice-president post as anticipated by many, as he wanted to first solve the issue of Maika Holdings.

"I got to sort out the Maika issue first. Then, I will decide. Maybe, (in the) next election," he said.

- Bernama