MIC patches rift as 700 members return to party
THESTAR
KUALA LUMPUR: The rift in MIC is over with the supporters of former MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel burying the hatchet and returning back unconditionally.
Led by former vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan, nearly 700 members from 627 branches pledged their support to MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam at the MIC headquarters yesterday.
A beaming Dr Subramaniam said it was the end of a very challenging two years and was magnanimous in welcoming back the members.
“Forget the past, don’t ask the reason why it happened.
“We must look towards preparing for the future and the next general election which could be called next September,” he said in his speech.
He said presidents come and go, but no one should be allowed to ruin the party, which is the oldest representative for the Indian community.
“MIC is like a ship where passengers can embark and disembark, but one should not be allowed to destroy the engine,” he said.
The rift in the party started after a group of leaders lodged complaints against irregularities in the vote count for the 2013 party election to the Registrar of Societies in early 2014. ROS later ruled for a re-election.
After a series of court cases, Dr Subramaniam said Palanivel and several others were disqualified as members for bringing the party matter to court, which was a breach of MIC’s constitution.
Dr Subramaniam’s faction held elections to elect the new party leadership in November last year.
Dr Subramaniam urged members to work hard to regain the trust of the Indian community.
“We must make the community realise MIC represents their interest. If we can do that, then we are okay,” he said.
Sothinathan, who led the discussions to reunite the factions, said they got the advise and endorsement of the Prime Minister.
“Almost everyone is back in MIC.
“There are a few more who will join over the next two weeks. Only a few remain outside,” he said.
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