Former MIC deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam believes that tens of thousands of Indians who were thrown out of the MIC will return to the party after president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu steps down.
He claimed that over 100,000 members left the party after Samy Vellu closed down their branches in the last 30 years, adding that almost all Indian Progressive Front (IPF) members were originally MIC members.
However, he said the atmosphere must be right and the party's successor has to win their support to lure them back to the party.
He was speaking to reporters after participating in a consecration ceremony at the Sri Subramaniam Temple in Serdang here Sunday.
Citing an example, he said seven branches with about 800 members in the Kulim-Bandar Baharu MIC division here were closed in February.
Subramaniam also quashed allegations that he was behind calls for Samy Vellu to step down earlier than September next year.
He also condemned MIC Central Working Committee (CWC) member S. Vell Paari for alleging that sacked Youth deputy chief V. Mugilan was being used as his (Subramaniam's) stooge in calling for Samy Vellu's early exit.
“I have not spoken to Mugilan for about a year although I might have exchanged a friendly hello with him in a few functions. I have nothing to do with what Mugilan does or anybody else who asked Samy Vellu to go.
“I did not want to advise Samy Vellu because it will fall on deaf ears as he never takes good advice,” he said, adding that Samy Vellu did not even heed former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's advice to retire two years ago.
However, Subramaniam said if his views were sought, he would say: “If you (Samy Vellu) are retiring, please do so as quickly as possible, so that it will give the successor time to prepare and strengthen the party by uniting the various splinter groups,” he said.
