Effective tomorrow, MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel will take over the chairmanship of the Kedah MIC to strenghten the partys base in the state.

In a statement here today, he said he would hold regular discussions with MIC divisions in the state, at least twice a month, to understand and attend to issues there.

Tomorrow, he is expected to begin his Kedah tour to meet with branch and division chairmen from Merbok, Jerai and Sungai Petani, among others, and hold regular meetings with them.

The Kedah MIC has to move forward. I arrived at the decision (to take over as Kedah chairman) to strengthen the party's base in the state, said Palanivel, who is also natural resources and environment minister.

It is learnt the takeover of the leadership was fuelled by complaints from several party chairmen in Kedah MIC over a myriad of problems faced by the party leadership.

On the status of previous Kedah MIC chief S. Ananthan and other office-bearers, Palanivel said the matter would be decided later.

Meanwhile, Kedah MIC deputy chairman M. L. Maran welcomed Palanivel's decision, hoping it would bring positive changes in the re-branding of the state MIC.

"It's crucial to strengthen MIC's position in Kedah. His taking over will help in efforts to resolve problems faced by the Indian community and regain the trust of the people," he told Bernama when contacted.

Maran also paid tribute to Ananthan, thanking him for his contributions to the party.