MIC veteran leader M Muthupalaniappan today announced that he would contest for the party presidency next March.
MCPX"I am receiving overwhelming support and good words from MIC and the Indian community regarding this," he told Malaysiakini.
Yesterday, the former MIC vice-president had revealed his intention of taking on his former ally S Samy Vellu who has held the top post for the past three decades.
According to Muthupalaniappan, he decided to contest after taking into consideration the interest of the party and the socio-economic condition of the Indian community in this country.
"I shall and will bring change to MIC and to the community," he pledged.
Stressing on the importance of consolidating ranks and bringing the community together, the 68-year-old Seremban-based lawyer said: "Unity is the key to success."
Muthupalaniappan also vowed to re-admit expelled MIC leaders and members as well as to reinstate all the closed branches.
This is the meaning of a re-branding exercise, he said, adding that he would be able to bring the different camps together.
Muthupalaniappan was first elected to the MIC central working committee in 1979. The same year, he was appointed Negeri Sembilan MIC chief and party Youth head.
He was made senator in 1980 and two years later, won the Si Rusa state assembly seat and was appointed to the Negeri Sembilan state executive council.
He contested the party vice-presidency in 1987 and 1991 but lost both bids.
Muthupalaniappan eventually landed a veep seat in 1997 but failed to retain the post at the party's 2000 and 2006 elections.
