MIC secretary-general A Prakash Rao has been replaced by Kumar Silambaram, party president G Palanivel announced today.
    
Palanivel, in an e-mailed statement today, also said that Ramalingam Krishnamoorthy has been appointed as the new MIC strategic director, replacing Vell Paari - the son of former party supremo S Samy Vellu, who had handpicked Palanivel as his successor.
    
However, Palanivel (right) - who is also the natural resources and environment minister - did not mention Kumar's party position prior to his appointment as the new secretary-general.
    
"I have also appointed three new members to the central working committee (CWC). They are Karuppanan Malairaja (Penang), Ganesan Subramaniam (Kedah) and Ganesan Thankaveloo (Selangor).

"They will be taking over from KS Nijhar, R Ramanan and KS Balakrishnan," he added.  
    
Palanivel also noted that MIC’s disciplinary committee will now comprise of Karuppanan Malairaja, who will serve as chairperson, Ganesan Subramaniam and Randhir Singh.
    
“All the appointments take effect from today and I have issued letters to all concerned, which will be received by them in due course," he noted.
    
Meanwhile, Bernama's calls to Prakash Rao for his comment have been unanswered.
    
Prakash Rao's replacement came a year after his appointment as secretary-general by Palanivel on Dec 16, 2013.
    
Another secretary-general appointed by Palanivel, A Sakthivel - who was appointed on May 14, 2013 - was in the post for only about seven months before being replaced by Prakash Rao.
    
Prior to Sakthivel, the post was held by S Murugesan - appointed by Palanivel - who resigned from the secretary-general post following the party's bad performance in the 13th general election.

- Bernama