Sidelined Palanivel still strutting his stuff
Aidila RazakPublished: Apr 17, 2010 8:26 AM | Updated: Apr 17, 2010 10:50 AM
Despite being sidelined as a candidate, MIC deputy president G Palanivel appears eager to show that he is still the one calling the shots in Hulu Selangor.
Despite being sidelined as a candidate, MIC deputy president G Palanivel appears eager to show that he is still the one calling the shots in Hulu Selangor.
So certain is he about his strong influence in this constituency that he has asked MCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai if he needed help garnering the Chinese votes for BN.
Today was Palanivel's (left) first public appearance after he was looked over for the Hulu Selangor by-election candidacy on Thursday.
After days of suspense about whether he or MIC national deputy Youth chief V Mugilan was to be the BN choice for the April 25 poll, both were looked over in favour of P Kamalanathan (MIC).
Speaking to reporters today, Palanivel suggested that he will be able to influence community leaders in the areas where BN is weaker, making him a valuable asset for the campaign.
"I told (deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yasin) that we've successfully brought back a lot of votes, but one or two areas (that) are still 'disturbed'.
"I'm going there because (the community leaders there) say they will meet me if I come," he said.
Palanivel also showed off his experience as a local veteran by saying that he has a "different type of strategy".
"These are all local voters. They don't need ceramahs," he said. Palanivel added that he has gone to the ground to campaign everyday.
BN's ‘local advantage', he noted, will take the coalition across the finish line in this by-election.
"We will get more votes than in (the last election). I don't see (the residents) speaking to PKR. They're outsiders," he said.
‘I would have enemies'
He conceded, however, that with Kamalanathan, being a surprise candidate, had an edge over him by being a fresh face in the game.
"He's a new guy, fresh. I would have enemies, he will not. So, he will not have any problems (in the) constituency. That itself will bring in 50 percent of the votes.
Palanivel also dismissed talk that he was still bitter over not being picked, speculation on which was further fueled by his absence during a greater part of the nomination process earlier this morning.
He explained that he was located outside because he wanted to be with the voters.
"I was outside because the voters were outside. A lot of (them) turned up and they were waiting at the junction. So they walked with me," he said.
Asked about his support for Kamalanathan (left), Palanivel said: "Of course, we have to support him, right? You don't expect me to vote for PKR, do you?"
So certain is he about his strong influence in this constituency that he has asked MCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai if he needed help garnering the Chinese votes for BN.
Today was Palanivel's (left) first public appearance after he was looked over for the Hulu Selangor by-election candidacy on Thursday.After days of suspense about whether he or MIC national deputy Youth chief V Mugilan was to be the BN choice for the April 25 poll, both were looked over in favour of P Kamalanathan (MIC).
Speaking to reporters today, Palanivel suggested that he will be able to influence community leaders in the areas where BN is weaker, making him a valuable asset for the campaign.
"I told (deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yasin) that we've successfully brought back a lot of votes, but one or two areas (that) are still 'disturbed'.
"I'm going there because (the community leaders there) say they will meet me if I come," he said.
Palanivel also showed off his experience as a local veteran by saying that he has a "different type of strategy".
"These are all local voters. They don't need ceramahs," he said. Palanivel added that he has gone to the ground to campaign everyday.
BN's ‘local advantage', he noted, will take the coalition across the finish line in this by-election.
"We will get more votes than in (the last election). I don't see (the residents) speaking to PKR. They're outsiders," he said.
‘I would have enemies'
He conceded, however, that with Kamalanathan, being a surprise candidate, had an edge over him by being a fresh face in the game.
"He's a new guy, fresh. I would have enemies, he will not. So, he will not have any problems (in the) constituency. That itself will bring in 50 percent of the votes.
Palanivel also dismissed talk that he was still bitter over not being picked, speculation on which was further fueled by his absence during a greater part of the nomination process earlier this morning.He explained that he was located outside because he wanted to be with the voters.
"I was outside because the voters were outside. A lot of (them) turned up and they were waiting at the junction. So they walked with me," he said.
Asked about his support for Kamalanathan (left), Palanivel said: "Of course, we have to support him, right? You don't expect me to vote for PKR, do you?"
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