A Tamil newspaper today suggested that supporters of MIC incumbent deputy president S Subramiam were seeking supernatural intervention to ensure his victory.

Subramaniam would face current vice-president G Palanivel at this Saturday's much anticipated party polls.

The latter is the chosen candidate of party president S Samy Vellu, who has been actively campaigning against his estranged deputy.

According to the Tamil Nesan newspaper - which is aligned with the president - MIC veteran leader V Govindaraj has been rumoured to be on the lookout for shamans and Orang Asli bomohs.

In a commentary, the writer claimed that Govindaraj could be searching as far as in Kerala - a state in India reputedly rich in mysticism - for supernatural assistance.

The party veteran was also rumoured to be holding 'nightly shaman meetings' at the residences of his friends and families.

Govndaraj, who was dropped from the MIC Central Working Committee (CWC) by Samy Vellu, was also rumoured to be using Subramaniam to get back at the president.

According to the writer, these are the rumours floating about and "only god knows" if they were true.

Samy's revenge?

Meanwhile, Malaysia Nanban - which is said to be aligned with Subramaniam - ran a lengthy letter by a former MIC branch chairperson claiming that Samy Vellu did nothing for his deputy.

He said it was unfair of the president to accuse Subramaniam of being uncooperative when he did not provide him with any opportunities to prove himself.

According to him, Subramaniam had only been suffering humiliation at the hands of Samy Vellu since he challenged him for presidency in 1989.

What was transpiring now, according to the writer, could be interpreted as the president's revenge for the 1989 contest.

He claimed that placing his protege Palanivel in the number two post would be the climax of this drama.

The former branch chairperson also criticised Samy Vellu for his alleged 'non-democratic' actions that were weakening MIC.

The president was also reprimanded for 'forcing' party delegates to vote for his preferred candidates and 'threatening' those not aligned with him.

This indicates dictatorship in the party, claimed the writer.