MIC has always been consistent in its stand that it will not allow the entry of another Indian-based political party in the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

Its deputy president, Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said it had been the party's stand all along.

"We feel strongly that the entry of another party will not, in any way increase the bargaining power of the Indian community within the BN...rather, it will weaken it," he said in a statement here today.

However, he said, MIC was always willing to work with any Indian-based party for the betterment of the community.

"It is the same sentiment that Umno has not allowed a Malay-based party into the BN in peninsular Malaysia," added Dr Subramaniam.