MIC president S Samy Vellu, in supporting Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's call on the opposition parties to join Barisan Nasional, should also back the Indian Progressive Front's (IPF) application to join the ruling coalition, its president MG Pandithan said today.

"If Samy Vellu is genuine in supporting the prime minister's call, he should not oppose IPF's entry into BN," Pandithan said when contacted.

Samy Vellu (photo, left) was reported in English-language daily The Star today as saying that the ruling front was willing to accept the opposition into its fold to unite the nation and facilitate implementation of development projects.

He added that, "if the opposition reject Mahathir's offer, it means they are thinking more of their political future than the good of the country".

In response to Samy Vellu's remarks, Pandithan said it is only 'rational' that IPF gets the same treatment if opposition parties are being welcomed into the BN fold.

No room

IPF, a splinter party of MIC, claims to represent the grassroots of the Indian Malaysian community. It has been trying in vain to join the 15-member BN since it parted ways with the opposition in 1991.

However, according to Samy Vellu, there is no room for two ruling Indian-based political parties to represent the community.

"MIC is the only stumbling block," Pandithan said, adding that the prime minister and other political parties in BN have no objection to IPF joining the coalition.

Commenting on the prime minister's call, Pandithan said: "It's nothing new. The PM is very genuine."

He added that it was better for the country to be united, in view of the prevailing global political climate.

The prime minister, as the BN chairperson, invited the opposition to join the ruling coalition towards efforts in developing the nation and preparing for foreign threats.

The prime minister said the BN was willing to share power with the opposition parties if the latter were sincere in joining them.

Nevertheless, the opposition parties have turned down the offer, and the subject is even off-limits in PAS, as directed by the party's spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat.