Palanivel has 'lost it', says Vell Paari

This was the reaction of the now-former MIC strategic director, Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari after being 'sacked' by MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel today.

However, Vell Paari said he expected this as he had been critical of the party.

"I resigned as the party's strategic director in 2012. He (Palanivel) insisted I take back the post in 2013. As a strategic director, I have advised him on many matters, many times. But he never listens.

"As we all know, the Registrar of Societies (ROS) has already declared the party's last election results null and void.

"So, what appointment is he making? Is it even legal for him to do this when the Central Working Committee (CWC) is null and void? He has clearly disregarded the law. He has lost it," Vell Paari said.

He also said he is not sure which Vell Paari Palanivel was talking about.

"I really don't know if there is another 'Vell Paari'. If yes, then I would like to meet him. This is because my position has already been null and void since Dec 5.

"So, I am not sure which 'Vell Paari' he sacked," he said.

Vell Paari added that the party was not built by Palanivel but so many others before him.

"He should resign. He has no rights to destroy the party like this," he said.

In a statement today, Palanivel announced that MIC secretary-general A. Prakash Rao has been replaced by Datuk S. Kumar.

Palanivel also said K. Ramalingam has been appointed as the new party strategic director, replacing Vell Paari, who is former party supremo Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu's son. Samy Vellu had handpicked Palanivel as his successor when the former resigned from party in 2010.

However, Palanivel, who is also Natural Resources and Environment Minister, did not mention Kumar's party position, prior to his appointment as sec-gen.

"I have also appointed three new members to the CWC. They are M. Karuppanan (Penang), Datuk S. Ganesan (Kedah) and T. Ganesan (Selangor).

"They will be taking over from Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar, Datuk R. Ramanan and Datuk K.S. Balakrishnan," Palanivel had stated today.

Palanivel also noted that the MIC disciplinary committee now comprised Karuppanan, who will serve as chairman, S. Ganesan and Datuk Randhir Singh.

"All the appointments take effect from today and I have issued letters to all concerned which they will receive in due course," he added.

Prakash Rao's replacement came almost a year after his appointment as sec-gen by Palanivel on Dec 16, 2013.

Another sec-gen appointed by Palanivel, A. Sakthivel, who was appointed on May 14 , 2013, held the post for only about seven months before he was replaced by Prakash Rao.