Palanivel 'acting like Opposition'
Astro Awani
January 28, 2015 17:30 MYT
January 28, 2015 17:30 MYT
Some observers say dismissing Saravanan as FT chairman could be Palanivel's biggest mistake, as the former has a large following who believe he has done much for the Indian community. - Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar
"Palanivel (Datuk Seri G. Palanivel) is acting like an Opposition… not respecting his appointment as party president by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak."
MIC vice president Datuk M. Saravanan said the MIC president was making the party “like it is his father’s”, simply making decisions without discussing with central working committee (CWC) members.
He said Palanivel’s actions today were “the last straw”.
Earlier today, several MIC leaders were stopped from entering party headquarters, allegedly by a group of ‘gangsters’ aligned to secretary-general Datuk Kumar Amaan.
Saravanan said gangsters were also the ones who served him the letter from Palanivel, informing him of his dismissal as Federal Territory liaison committee chairman yesterday.
“The situation in the party is becoming more chronic. Palanivel needs to explain his actions, which have gone against party constitution, and call for an emergency meeting with the CWC within 24 hours.
“Failing to do so, we will gather 2,000 MIC members to march to his house,” Saravanan told newsmen at the party headquarters here today.
The MIC crisis became more chaotic after Palanivel announced Saravanan’s dismissal as the party’s FT liaison committee chairman yesterday and replacing him with Datuk V. Rajoo.
The move is seen as Palanivel trying to strengthen his position as president, possibly by using ‘scare tactics’ to teach lessons to others to not cross him.
“He (Palanivel) needs to remember that his position was agreed upon by the Prime Minister for one term,” said Saravanan.
He said for now, the order at party headquarters will be cared for MIC Youth besides working with the police to ensure that gangsters would no longer disturb the area.
Saravanan before this had reportedly advised Palanivel to meet with the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to solve the party election issues.
The MIC crisis came following RoS’ decision to nullify the positions of three vice-presidents and 23 central working committee (CWC) members in its last party elections.
RoS recommended that the posts be re-elected within 90 days, following alleged irregularities and breach of the party’s constitution and the Societies Act.