KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 — It’s do or die for MIC veteran Datuk S. Subramaniam whose long career — he started as secretary-general in 1973 — is at a crossroads as election fever grips the party.
As veteran Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, in power since 1979, prepares to contest for another term as president in March against the advice of even several top Umno leaders, Subramaniam is faced with a dilemma.
He either challenges Samy Vellu, as his supporters are now clamouring him to do, or join the race for the deputy president’s post, which is already a crowded field with up to five potential contestants led by incumbent Datuk G. Palanivel.
The challenge against Samy Vellu by former MIC vice-president Datuk M. Muthupalaniappan has failed to ignite a revolt and even this lightweight challenger admits that he would give way if Subramaniam takes on Samy Vellu.
Samy Vellu himself is keenly watching Subramaniam's every move, looking for any indication of grassroots mobilisation by Subramaniam to mount a challenge, but his archrival of three decades is not giving any indication of a possible do-or-die battle.
Subramaniam, who did not respond to several attempts to contact him for comment, has however told his closest supporters that a challenge might not be likely unless there is a guarantee that the election is free and fair.
"It is an uphill task because nobody can guarantee the election would be free and fair and on a level-playing field. The rules are all stacked against a challenger," said K.P. Samy, a diehard ally of Subramaniam.
"We want him to contest but in the end it is his decision," he told The Malaysian Insider when contacted today.
And it is not just Subramaniam supporters who are pushing him to contest. Even some former diehard Samy Vellu supporters have apparently switched sides and are openly hobnobbing with Subramaniam.
The MIC ground is shifting against Samy Vellu and his insistence to stay on for another term after the party's disastrous outing in the March 8 general election when it lost all but a few seats.
"If the party has any future he should leave now," said a branch chairman voicing the general grassroots feeling.
Since the election, members have been defecting to other political parties and even top MIC leaders are shunning Samy Vellu who is trying hard to recoup by "re-branding" the MIC and riding out the storm.
By all counts the re-branding has failed to ignite new hope in the dispirited party.
"The atmosphere is quite hostile to the president, he is isolated and ripe for a challenger," a former MIC vice-president told The Malaysian Insider on condition of anonymity. "His only true friend and ally now is his son Vell Pari."
On Sunday one of Samy Vellu's most ardent supporters, FT MIC chief Datuk M. Saravanan, held a high-powered Deepavali party at the Grand Seasons hotel here that was also attended by top Umno leaders.
Samy Vellu was absent but Subramaniam was present and he and Saravanan, until recently arch enemies, were openly hobnobbing and letting the media take photographs.
It was a clear signal to Samy Vellu not to count on old loyalties anymore because new alliances are being formed against him.
For the first time too, MIC members openly approached Subramaniam and shook his hands, indicating they were ready to accept Subramaniam back as a possible alternative to Samy Vellu.
"Everybody knows Samy Vellu's time is up except that the man himself is in deep denial," said a branch chairman who attended the Deepavali party thrown by Saravanan.
"I shook hands with Subramaniam and it felt good," he said.
The question however remains whether Subramaniam, 64, would throw down the gauntlet at Samy, 73 for a return match that could see the end of the Samy Vellu era.
Subramaniam first challenged Samy Vellu in 1989 and lost narrowly. Despite the many upheavals that followed, he has managed to survive even after losing as deputy president to Palanivel in 2006.
Palanivel, who polled two-thirds of the votes, had the open support of Samy Vellu.
All that ended up as history after March 8.
The time is now for Subramaniam to decide whether to challenge Samy Vellu or try to wrest the deputy president's post from Palanivel. He cannot delay any longer.
The thinking among top leaders now is that Samy Vellu's time is clearly up one way or other but all feel nevertheless that with everything stacked in his favour, it is suicidal to challenge him.
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Waiting to see when the members of MIC openly defy Samy and spill the beans on MAIKA. The INDIAN COMMUNITY sadly have been misled by one tyrant S. Samy Vellu for decades and it's time for MIC members to expose MAIKA / Telekoms shares without any cover ups, period.