Samy's challenger reinstated

In a surprising about-turn, sacked MIC presidential candidate M Muthupalaniappan was reinstated as party member with a stern warning today.

The party's all-powerful Central Working Committee (CWC) revised the disciplinary committee's decision last week to expel the former party vice-president.

He was originally sacked for contravening the principles of the party and for acting in a manner detrimental to the interests of the party.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, MIC deputy president G Palanivel said that the decision was made after taking into consideration many factors, including Muthupalaniappan's status as a party veteran.

"We, however, warn Muthupalaniappan not to make any statement detrimental to MIC. If he makes any statement at all, he will be expelled from the party," he said.

"The CWC took into account many factors, including the fact that he (Muthupalaniappan) was a long-standing member of the party.

"So, the CWC decided to give him one final chance, that is, his party membership can continue," added Palanivel.

Party president S Samy Vellu excused himself from chairing the central working committee meeting today and the meeting was chaired by deputy president G Palanivel.

Muthupalaniappan is the only person who has indicated his interest in contesting for the party president's post, held by Samy Vellu since 1979. The contest is expected to be held in May.

Muthu: It's a sound decision

In an immediate response, Muthupalaniappan said he welcomed the decision.

"I am very glad to learn that the CWC has come to a sound decision in the interest of MIC, BN and the Indian community.

"This will pave the way for me to serve the MIC, BN and Indian community," he said, adding that the latest development does not change his intention to vie for the top post.

The 68-year-old politician also thanked the media for playing a 'constructive, effective and justified role'.

However, he declined to elaborate on the warning pertaining to media statements.

According to a CWC member, who declined to be named, the meeting started at 10am and when the matter of Muthupalaniappan came up some two hours later, Samy Vellu excused himself.

The president said he was an interested party and therefore left the meeting, leaving the decision to the committee.

The committee then invited the members of the disciplinary board for a briefing.

"Questions were asked and a lengthy deliberation of almost three hours took place," said the CWC member.

"It was a thoroughly democratic process. Every committee member present had something to say and finally a consensus was reached to reinstate Muthupalaniappan," he added.

It is learnt that the committee decided to reinstate the renegade leader in order not to give the impression that action was taken against him to prevent him from contesting for the top post.

This is also the reason why he was not slapped with a suspension either.

On an unrelated matter, Samy Vellu said that CWC member KP Samy, sacked from the party in 2008, has been reinstated.

He said other former party members who were expelled for various reasons would be reinstated in stages