KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC central working committee (CWC) emergency meeting today will proceed despite doubts over its validity.
The meeting will discuss the Registrar of Societies’ (RoS) directive for the party to hold fresh elections.
Former party secretary-general Tan Sri G. Vadivelloo said the
meeting was unlawful as RoS had nullified the elections held at the party general assembly in Malacca last November.
“Only the 2009-2013 CWC members can convene the meeting,” Vadivelloo told the New Straits Times yesterday.
He said the nine appointed
members, including the party’s secretary-general A. Prakash Rao and treasurer-general Datuk S. Murugesan, could not discharge their duties.
On Dec 5, RoS ordered MIC to hold fresh elections for 23 CWC members and the three vice-president posts in 90 days following alleged irregularities and breach of the party’s constitution and the Societies Act.
It also ordered MIC to hold fresh elections for eight divisions in 60 days, namely Bayan Baru, Bukit Gelugor, Subang, Bandar Baru Kulim, Taiping, Tambun, Sepang and Jasin.
Prakash said the meeting
today would proceed as planned despite objections by several MIC leaders.
“I cannot comment on the validity of the meeting, but rest assured, party president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel will give a statement after the meeting ends to clear the air.”
Despite the uncertainties, MIC Wanita chief M. Mohana said she would attend the meeting for the sake of “party unity”.
“What is important is that everything should be done according to the law.
“We must stand united and put the interests of the party before everything else.”
MIC Youth chief C. Sivarrajh echoed Mohana’s sentiments, saying he would show up for the meeting.
Former MIC Youth chief T. Mohan and several other former CWC members are expected to hold a protest outside the party headquarters today over the “illegal” meeting.
This latest setback has put a damper on MIC’s rejuvenation process as it seeks to bounce back from a dismal performance in the 13th General Election.
MIC won only four of the nine parliamentary seats and five of the 18 state constituency seats that it contested in last year’s election.