Palanivel our sole nominee, insist MIC leaders
MIC leaders have quashed rumours that vice-president G Palanivel is not the sole party nominee to BN chief Najib Abdul Razak for the upcoming Hulu Selangor by-election.
MIC leaders have quashed rumours that vice-president G Palanivel is not the sole party nominee to BN chief Najib Abdul Razak for the upcoming Hulu Selangor by-election.
Their denial comes amidst speculations by various media organisations that Palanivel could be dropped in favour of another MIC candidate or an Umno candidate.
The speculations were fueled by Najib's address to the Selangor BN convention yesterday, where he confirmed that the coalition would be fielding a candidate from MIC, but stop short of naming the candidate.
BN is scheduled to announce its candidate on April 15, and lobbying for candidates is expected to intensify before Najib heads overseas this weekend.
Palanivel is a four-term Hulu Selangor MP since 1990 but suffered a narrow defeat in 2008 general elections and is hoping to make a comeback to the Dewan Rakyat.
When contacted, Dr S Subramaniam confirmed that Palanivel was the party's sole nominee.
He dismissed rumours that Palanivel's candidacy is hampered by resistance to the idea that he would be made a cabinet minister and said that the matter does not arise for now.
"Winning the by-election is our priority," said Subramaniam, who was appointed human resource minister in 2008 by virtue of being the highest-ranking MIC leader in Parliament.
'Locals want Palanivel'
Similarly, vice-president M Saravanan refused to entertain questions on the possibility of Palanivel being dropped as a candidate.
"There are no 'ifs' in politics," said Saravanan.
Saravanan, who is federal territories deputy minister, said he has had several meetings with Indian voters in Hulu Selangor and is convinced that they are all rooting for Palanivel.
"The Indians have changed their mindset. They are willing to accept Palanivel," he said.
MIC Youth chief T Mohan told Malaysiakini that there was no reason for BN not to endorse Palanivel's candidacy.
"It is only for two-and-a-half years. If he is not performing, then he can be replaced in the next general elections," he said.
Previously, it has been speculated that MIC was scrambling for a contingency plan after Najib's speech yesterday.
Among names being mentioned are deputy Youth chief V Mugilan, national information chief P Kamalanathan and secretary-general S Murugesan.
Mugilan is local to Hulu Selangor and runs a poultry farm there while Kamalanathan, who is based in nearby Rawang, is a part-time lecturer in public relations and has been a regular feature in current affairs talk shows.
Meanwhile, Murugesan is a up-and-coming politician who is a accomplished lawyer and polished orator in English, Bahasa and Tamil.
