PETALING JAYA, May 12 — Factions in the MIC have scowled upon remarks made by their president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel against his predecessor, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

MIC Wanita chief Mohana Muniandy said Samy Vellu would always be a better leader than Palanivel. 

“He (Palanivel) has done nothing for the party or the Indian community. Palanivel is a failed leader,” she said. 

Mohana said Palanivel had “stabbed Samy Vellu in his back’’ after the veteran politician groomed him to take over. 

“Palanivel’s statements are uncalled for,” she said. 

Mohana said Palanivel had no direction in leading the party and he never discussed plans with MIC Wanita. 

“Samy Vellu had a direction. He would always approach us at the Wanita wing,” she said, adding that the only way forward for MIC was by a change in leadership.

On Sunday, Palanivel called for Samy Vellu to stop interfering with party matters and also said the former works minister should step down as the Malaysian special envoy of infrastructure to India and southern Asia.

“I have done more for the Indian community in my short period compared to Samy Vellu,” Palanivel said. 

MIC vice-president Datuk M. Saravanan said Palanivel had no right to ask for Samy Vellu to step down as special envoy. 

“If Palanivel is asking Samy Vellu to step down as special envoy, then he should step down as MIC president,” he said. 

Saravanan said a deal was reached in 2010 which made Samy Vellu special envoy when he stepped down as MIC president, and Palanivel would take over as party president. 

“Who is Palanivel to ask Samy Vellu to step down when the prime minister himself was the one who appointed Samy Vellu to that position?” he asked.

“Samy Vellu doesn’t have any influence on any of us in MIC who are fighting against Palanivel’s leadership,” he said. 

Saravanan said it was fair for Palanivel to advise Samy Vellu not to meddle in the party matters but it should just stop there. 

“Palanivel should not go overboard and ask for him (Samy Vellu) to step down or make allegations against him,” he said.

“Palanivel must remember that Samy Vellu, although not holding a position in MIC, is still a life member of the party. Samy Vellu has every right to criticise any wrongdoing by the party’s leadership.”

MIC Youth chief C. Sivarraajh said it was unwarranted for Palanivel to blame Samy Vellu. But he also took issue with the former president for promoting a “weak leader”.

“The younger generation is keen to progress. What are your (Palanivel) plans for us, the Malaysian Indians?” he asked. 

“We will host a forum between Palanivel and Samy Vellu to debate these matters.”