PRAI: Is Penang DAP deputy chairman Dr P. Ramasamy leaving the party?
The former three-term Prai assemblyman, who was dropped as a candidate for the Aug 12 state election, has called for a press conference tomorrow, saying he has an "important announcement" to make, amid rumours that he is quitting the party.
Sources within Ramasamy's circle told the New Straits Times that "all fingers point to Ramasamy leaving the party".
"He (Ramasamy) is disappointed with the current situation in the party, more so the choice of party candidates for the state election.
"Let's just wait and see tomorrow," the source said.
Ramasamy was the former Deputy Chief Minister II from 2008 until the recent dissolution of the state legislative assembly.
Ramasamy, who is seen as a "liability" to DAP as he often speaks "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth", was one of five DAP state executive council members dropped as candidates for the state election.
The others included DAP Wanita chief Chong Eng, Phee Boon, Yeoh Soon Hin and Soon Lip Chee.
Also dropped were former Bagan Dalam assemblyman M. Satees and former Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee Chun Kit. Lee cited health reasons.
Satees had quit the party prior to nomination and is standing as an independent candidate to defend his Bagan Dalam state seat.
Ramasamy had recently alleged "hidden hands" behind the selection of candidates for the party to be fielded in the upcoming state election.
He said it was obvious that all those who were in support of caretaker Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow were slashed from the candidates' list as announced by Loke.
He said the reason given by the top party leadership to axe several of the incumbents was unacceptable.
Ramasamy had also cautioned Chow recently that his troubles were far from over, saying that he might have survived one major crisis in his political life.
In recent months, there were attempts to replace Chow as the chief minister.
The DAP top leadership subsequently named Chow as the chief minister for the second term if the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional coalition retained power in the state in the upcoming state election.