KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 9 — Penang DAP deputy chairman P. Ramasamy’s invitation for a press conference at an independent candidate’s operations room tomorrow has triggered rumours that he will leave the party.

Ramasamy, who was dropped as a candidate for this Saturday’s Penang state election, sent out the invitation this morning, with the stated venue being the office of David Marshel.

A former Seberang Prai councillor, David Marshel is contesting the Perai seat as an independent and was sacked from the DAP as a result.

While Ramasamy did not state the purpose of his PC, some news outlets have reported sources as confirming his intention to leave the party.

Ramasamy was among five senior Penang DAP leaders who were dropped as candidates for the state election this week, along with DAP Wanita chief Chong Eng, Phee Boon Poh, Yeoh Soon Hin and Soon Lip Chee.

Ramasamy has served as Penang deputy chief minister II since 2008 while Phee has served as the welfare and caring society exco also since the same year that saw the DAP wrest Penang from the Barisan Nasional.

After the announcement, Ramasamy insisted he was still loyal to the party and had no plans to leave.