KUALA LUMPUR: After the recent turmoil in the MIC, which led to the resignation of Youth chief S.A. Vigneswaran, the Youth wing's annual general meeting today is a much anticipated affair.

It will be interesting to see whether the ruling that Youth leaders must relinquish their posts when they turn 41 will be debated. Many in the grassroots have objected to it.

And it will be interesting to see how the issue is handled because there was no mention of it in the party constitution or in the by-laws of the Youth wing.

Former Kedah MIC Youth chief R. Nantha Kumar said the ruling should only be implemented next year.

"If they had waited and implemented it next year, it would look clean and not like a conspiracy to throw Vigneswaran out," he said.
Questions will likely be raised on why the Putera and Puteri chiefs are still in office despite being over 41.

"They will also ask why S. Murugesan was appointed as T. Mohan's deputy, as he will be celebrating his 41st birthday this December.

"Why put in someone who has to be replaced within months, instead of someone who can stay on until the next election?" asked a youth leader.

There is also the question of whether or not all the 560 delegates will be allowed to attend the meeting, as sources revealed that more than 20 per cent of the delegates have passed the age of 41.

Kuala Selangor division Youth leader L. Sivasubramaniam questioned who would make up for the missing delegates. There are rumours that outsiders will be brought in.

Nantha said it will be another tightly-controlled meeting, which will be opened by party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

T. Mohan, the appointed youth wing co-ordinator, assured there will be no hostilities during the AGM.

He dismissed talk of a boycott by Youth leaders, or any trouble with Vigneswaran supporters.

"Vigneswaran's matter will most likely be raised, although it has been clearly explained. But, if they still want to ask, I will answer," he said.

Nantha was sceptical the AGM would be free of intimidation, and the delegates would be able pose questions without fear.

"If an elected leader is made to leave just like that, what can an appointed person like Mohan do?

"He can only be a yes-man. Otherwise, he will be made to go within an hour and another person will be appointed," he said.

Others have voiced unhappiness with the president's choice of Mohan as the youth wing co-ordinator, saying he does not enjoy support of the grassroots and that he was chosen because he is related to Samy Vellu.

To that, Mohan said: "Whether we are related or not is not the issue. I have the track record.

"If somebody can show a better profile than me or equal to me, and the eligibility, I'm willing to let go of my post."