MIC branches in the Hulu Selangor division today pledged their full support for the nomination of G Palanivel as BN candidate for the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat by-election.

Hulu Selangor division's information chief Raily Muniandy in a statement today said all MIC branches in the division had pledged their support and cooperation to ensure Palanivel's victory.

NONE He added that during his three terms as the Hulu Selangor MP, Palanivel ( left ) who is also the MIC deputy president, had contributed tremendously to the development of the area and the people.

"The people of Hulu Selangor are pleased with his past contributions as MP," he said.

The pledge came in the wake of renewed calls from the local Umno division that the party be given the right to field its candidate. 

The seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad of PKR, due to brain cancer, last Thursday.

In the 12th general election in March 2008, Zainal Abidin won the seat with a narrow majority of 198 votes over BN candidate, Palanivel who had held the seat since 1990.

The Election Commission (EC) is expected to meet tomorrow to fix the dates for nomination and polling for the Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election, the 10th since the 2008 general election.

- Bernama