Palanivel stabbed in back ... right from the very start!

Two weeks ago I posted Hulu Selangor by-election - Déjà vu Ijok? where I stated (extract):

It’s likely that despite the Malay majority in the constituency, Najib will nominate Palanivel unless of course Samy Vellu interferes with that, by either putting his own name in or selecting someone who isn’t likely to be a greater threat to him than poor Palanivel. This is not inconceivable of Samy’s manoeuvring, manipulating Machiavellian mischief in order to remain MIC's No 1 for another zillion years.

Then 4 days later MKINI published Najib says it's MIC but leaves Palanivel in limbo.

Prime Minister Najib Razak has today confirmed that the BN candidate for the crucial Hulu Selangor by-election will come from the MIC. However, he fell short of endorsing G Palanivel [...], giving rise to speculation that he could be bumped off the list.

Poor Palanivel.

On that same day my letter to MKINI was published with a tautological title of Deja vu again at Hulu Selangor (why ‘again’?) where I wrote:

Samy himself is not unaware that a Palanivel nominated, elected and appointed as a cabinet minister will become an even bigger threat to his position as MIC president, and will in all likelihood expedite his obliteration from the political landscape. In fact one shouldn't be in the least surprised if he forwards to Najib his own name, toupee and all [maniacal laughter]. Thus, between now and April 14, it's virtually more than a political life time for Palanivel.

Sadly my prediction for poor Palani came true

Today in Malaysian Insider’s Kamalanathan has work cut out in Hulu Selangor campaign it was reported:

Samy Vellu informed Palanivel of the bad news, and toyed with either party secretary-general S. Murugesan or Kamalanathan as a replacement. He eventually picked Kamalanathan, who has the support of vice-president Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam and his son Vel Paari and the backing of the Dewar clan which controls the MIC.

Samy Vellu’s decision to back off after putting up a strong front has roiled the MIC CWC, with members already angry with the party president for failing to keep his word. A campaign has already been started to ask Samy Vellu to take responsibility and resign.

I believe from all these we can safely conclude Samy hadn't been sincere nor serious about his biggest threat, Palani, getting the nomination.

And in Malaysian Insider’s Barisan names Kamalanathan after battle of wills we read:

Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the candidacy of Kamalanathan, […]

“He is a workaholic, straightforward, one who means what he says. He’s the only candidate. There is no candidate but him,” Muhyiddin said of Kamalanathan as a smiling Samy Vellu flanked him.

I suppose poor Mugilan was a red herring after all - an ambitious and naïvely hopeful young bloke, but one used mercilessly by an old crocodile.

Hmmm, I wonder who had stabbed Palanivel in the back?