I have never met Palanivel to discuss MIC crisis in detail - Dr Subramaniam

He said many of his attempts to meet Palanivel had failed miserably, "except for our cursory meetings in Cabinet."

"(Nevertheless) There have been reports in the press about some imaginary conversation between the (party) president and me, written by some highly imaginative journalist," he said in a statement, Sunday.

Dr Subramaniam said that on Jan 7, he had requested to meet Palanivel, to which the party president agreed after the Cabinet meeting. However, the meeting did not materialise.

"Subsequently, we happened to meet in Cabinet where we exchanged a few statements and once again, I reiterated the need to find a holistic solution to the problem, and my willingness to work together to solve the problem, in line with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) decisions," he added.

At the Cabinet meeting, he said Palanivel only raised his concern on the need to have two elections, one in 2015 and another in 2016, but did not share his views on how he intended to solve the problem.

On Dec 5, ROS, among others, directed MIC to conduct re-elections for 23 Central Working Committee and three vice-presidential seats in 90 days because there were claims of irregularities and violations of the party constitution and Societies Act.

ROS also told MIC to hold again elections for eight divisions in 60 days, namely for Bayan Baru, Bukit Gelugor, Subang, Bandar Baru Kulim, Taiping, Tambun, Sepang and Jasin.

ROS also directed the party to conduct elections again for Batu Kawan (deputy chairman), Kota Raja (division chairman), Tanjung Malim (division chairman) and Taman Koperasi Polis (branch chairman) in 30 days.

Two branches - Merlimau Utara and Pekeliling Selatan Flats - were told to conduct a re-election in 30 days.