By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) chief S. Samy Vellu Saturday retained his hold over the party with his men sweeping organisational polls.
Incumbent deputy president G. Palanivel, who figured on Vellu’s ‘official’ list, retained the post after defeating main challenger, former deputy president S. Subramaniam.
Also defeated was former vice-president S. Sothinathan, a former Vellu protege who had challenged his mentor by entering the poll fray that had generated much heat and controversy.
MIC is the oldest party that speaks for Malaysia’s nearly two million ethnic Indian population.
The party began its 63rd general assembly earlier Saturday.
Three ministers, who are MIC nominees in the country’s federal government, also won the poll.
Human Resources Minister S. Subramaniam, deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department S.K. Devamany and Federal Territories deputy minister M. Saravanan were elected MIC vice-presidents, Star Online reported.
Vellu’s men captured most of the Central Working Committee posts for which 1,464 delegates voted.
President since 1979, Vellu was re-elected unopposed for the 11th time some weeks ago and had announced a list of 27 candidates, most of whom were elected.
The assembly was opened earlier Saturday by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak with top ministers of his government attending it.