Spanning just as long as the Star Wars epic which started in the 1970s, the protracted feud between MIC president S Samy Vellu and his nemesis S Subramaniam might finally reach its climax on Saturday.

But unlike the Hollywood blockbuster, the MIC flick draws mixed responses as to who is actually Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Some even feel there is very little difference between the duo.

Irregardless of the Indian community's perception of MIC and its leaders, it is the party delegates who will decide who of the three - Subramaniam, incumbent G Palanivel and S Sothinathan - becomes deputy president.

NONE So it is in the hands of these 1,400 or so delegates rests Subramaniam's fate. They will determine if he gets a new lease of life or if the final nail is driven into the coffin to bury his political career.

While Samy Vellu prefers the second option, observers say that he has put a Plan B in place should the unthinkable happen and Subramaniam is returned as his deputy once again.

Plan B is that MIC's all-powerful Central Working Committee (CWC) is sharpening its claws to strike at Subramaniam for bringing the party to disrepute.

With a storyline similar to that of MCA's recent production, Subramaniam is also staring at the possibility of an expulsion just like his Chinese counterpart Dr Chua Soi Lek who defied the odds to win the deputy presidency in the MCA elections last year.

Like Chua, Subramaniam - who was defeated as number two by Palanivel in 2006 - has vowed to battle to the end.

'He is out of his mind'

However, Samy Vellu does not believe that MIC will suffer a crisis similar to what is rocking MCA in the form of emergency meetings and so forth.

NONE "Even if Subramaniam goes or a 100 Subramaniam go, the party will be strong because we did not do anything outside the constitution," he told Malaysiakini during an interview yesterday.

Asked if he will accept his nemesis' victory should the delegates pick him, the veteran president said he will not question a 'democratic decision'.

As to whether he will have problems working with Subramaniam again, Samy Vellu replied: "No (I have no problems)... he won't be working with anybody."

The 73-year-old politician also believes that his 65-year-old adversary is suffering from dementia and the condition is related to the Makkal Osai Tamil newspaper which is lnked to the latter.

"He's out of his mind these days. He doesn't know what he's talking about because he is so involved in his petty press which goes on slashing people and disgracing people everyday.

"It is a disgracing gazette rather than a newspaper. He is part owner, his sons were directors, and they (the paper) do character assassination. That's all they do..."

Below are excerpts from the interview.

Malaysiakini: Subramaniam regrets not contesting against you for the presidency

Samy Vellu: (Laughs) He did that twice before, and he regretted for contesting. If he had come for the third time, he would have faced the same fate.

He also accused Maika Holdings of not being serious about selling its insurance firm to reimburse shareholders

He is very fond of telling lies. Salcon was the company that was supposed to buy... they made a firm order (offer) and paid the deposit to Bank Negara and Maika Holdings was prepared to sell. And he (Subramaniam) took this (court) injunction because he wants the people to lose the money and accuse me for that.

He took the injunction, and later said look for a better buyer. We have already found a better buyer, if you feel there is some better buyer than us... you should bring the better buyer to us. He brought the (new) company and the company said it cannot give us a guarantee, they will give us an offer which will go according to the market rate. By the time we sign (the deal), if the market rate goes down, the price also goes down. It is not a fixed price. That is the greatest thing he has done.

The second offer was rejected within 48 hours without consulting Subramaniam

No need for consultation. When something is not right, we don't have to consult him. He was wasting time...

He has repeatedly asked you to hold the debate with him before the elections

I said we will debate after the AGM (Annual General Meeting)... I call for the debate, I fix a date, not you fix a date.

NONE Sothinathan says prior to May, there was an understanding that he will be named as the preferred choice for number two

If he believes in temple and god, I have never made such an understanding. He is just telling it for the sake of telling a lie.

On money politics

I think there are some cases... even today (yesterday) a case was reported to me. I am asking the person who gave me the report to give me a letter, there is one candidate, a serious candidate, for vice-president from Johor who has gone to Sungai Siput and offered RM300 per delegate. The person (complainant) is prepared to give a letter, we will take the letter, and after the general assembly, we will decide what to do with him (the candidate).

On the allegation that you are involved in caste politics

I have never praciticed caste politics in my life, Subramaniam practices it daily, he goes and sees his group, what is that group... he is the main man for caste, and he went to see (Namavar group founder) Vyran (T Raj), and Vyran practices caste, he went to see Vyran to ask support from him, encouraging the creation of a new caste politics in MIC to support him, for that also he should be charged by the central working committee.

But Subramaniam has denied using caste for political advancement

He has used them and Vyran, practically said only Subramaniam has agreed to our proposal and we'll look as to how we can work for him. That means he has already agreed to come to an understanding with them on a caste system.

Critics say it is not healthy for a democratic party to have its president coming out with a list of preferred candidates.

The system of democracy is group politics, no individual can run a party alone, he has to work with a team of colleagues who will help him to work for the objectives of the party. I don't see anything wrong, its not only here, it happens everywhere.

NONE Why did you pick Palanivel to be your successor?

He is a clean man and he has no bad habits. These two are the most important criteria for his selection. He is also polite and popular in the community... we want to hand over the party to a clean, good man so that he takes over and runs it in line with the agreed principles of the party constitution.

Some say that if your lineup wins, then MIC will become irrelevant

MIC will be much stronger. And people who say such things will become irrelevant.

What is your advice for the delegates?

My advice is that we should think in terms of looking for the future. We should think of tomorrow, the education of our community tomorrow and the social upliftment of our community tomorrow. And at the same time, we have to build up a very educated and vibrant community. I have done quite a lot during my time as president and I hope the new ones that are coming will be able to do that also.

On a lighter note, Subramaniam has joked about you having an issue with his youthful looks

For a person who is 65, (and) his youthful appearance, I think if he has one, he should go for the Mr Malaysia contest.

You say he goes around like a 'mappilai' (bridegroom)

(Laughs) Mappilai has a very deep meaning in Tamil. 'He is walking around like a mapillai' means, after the marriage, the first day, the mapillai doesn't do anything in the house. He goes around with his young wife, looking at things here and there...

Part 1

Samy: Umno cannot decide who helms MIC