KUALA LUMPUR: Thousands of MIC members gathered at a special assembly here Saturday in support of party chief Datuk Seri G. Palanivel.
Supporters, who came in busloads, started arriving from 11am to receive Palanivel, who came at 2pm.
The party has been embroiled in a crisis over the past week, after Palanivel suspended his deputy, Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam and 13 others. Hours later, Dr Subramaniam claimed Palanivel was no longer an MIC member because he had contravened the party’s constitution, and said he was taking over as acting president.
The event started with speeches from eight state division chairmen who voiced their support for the party president and urged the people to follow suit.
Selangor MIC deputy chairman C. Krishnan said the party will be able to do good only under the leadership of Palanivel.
“He will do what is needed to give back to the people and the party, and will definitely not practise gutter politics," he said.
Malacca MIC chairman Datuk M.S. Mahadevan said it was impossible for one house to have two fathers.
"Two fathers sleeping in one room, that does not sound right at all," he said, adding that it was time to finalise a decision on their leader.
A former Kedah MIC chairman called for Palanivel to negotiate with the rival faction. However, he faced opposition by those present, who booed him off stage.
Other arguments from leaders included the future of all party investment, including the ownership of the AIMST University and TAFE college.
Kedah chairman Datuk S. Ganesan said each division was previously forced to contribute RM 11,000 for the project.
“It was built with all our efforts so should we not be allowed an opportunity to be a part of it? Were we not told that these universities and colleges were built for the future of MIC? What is happening now?" he said.
The event continues with speeches from other prominent MIC leaders.
