With the MIC elections around the corner, it was announced today that a new splinter party will be formed.

The new party - called MIC Baru - will serve as a channel for some 50,000 to 100,000 MIC supporters who are now on the 'outside' due to the dissolving of branches and terminations.

According to its chief sponsor P Ganapathy, the party is being formed to provide a platform for those on the outside of MIC but remain as supporters of the government and have no interest in joining the opposition or other Barisan Nasional (BN) parties.

"We will pressure MIC, not the government," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Ganapathy, who is the former MIC Sungai Rasah branch chairperson, said he is confident that the new party will receive support since many businessmen and professionals have expressed their interest in joining.

"Many have also voiced their interest in providing donations in order to help set up the party," he added.

No links with Subra

Ganapathy also denied that the new party was linked to MIC deputy president S Subramaniam (left).

"This new party has nothing to do with Subra," he said.

Subramaniam's supporters have been angered by president S Samy Vellu's open endorsement of vice-president G Palanivel for the number two slot.

Despite this, Subramaniam has repeatedly said he will not contest for presidency but will defend his post.

Meanwhile, an MIC Baru spokesperson M Muneandy said they are not concerned if certain quarters viewed the new entity as a gimmick for the upcoming party polls.

Muneandy, who was recently terminated from his post as MIC Ampang Jaya branch chairperson, also added that the new party had no links with any castes either.

Meanwhile, Subramiam when contacted declined to comment on the matter for now.