MIC's doors open to all: Dr Subramaniam

He said the invitation was extended in the interest of the party to forge unity among the Indians and its intention to jointly pursue the struggle to bring MIC to a higher level.

"I have several times reiterated this view and even today we discussed and repeated this and asked them (Palanivel's supporters) who are outside to come together so that we can jointly bring the party to a higher level.

"We have an open attitude. We will accept anyone who wants to join the party," he told reporters before chairing a meeting of the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting at the MIC headquarters here.

Dr Subramaniam, who is also Health Minister, was commenting on rumours that Palanivel's supporters, including former MIC vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan, intends to return to the party's fold as reported in the media lately.

MIC split into two factions following a difference of opinion between Palanivel and Dr Subramaniam after the Registrar of Societies (RoS) issued a notice on Dec 5, 2014 asking the party to hold fresh elections.

The crisis caused Palanivel to automatically lose his MIC membership (Ipso Facto) and some of his loyalists still do not want to join the party under the leadership of Dr Subramaniam until today.