In a Facebook post, Puad suggested that MIC feared losing everything and lacked the political strength to make demands or threats.

“If you knew you were being deceived, why didn’t you walk away? Why keep offering your neck?

“That shows that Saravanan was actually bluffing. All bark, no bite,” he said in response to an interview Saravanan had given to Utusan Malaysia.

“Why so afraid? Because MIC only has one MP. Not strong enough to withdraw or pull its support. He’s scared he’ll end up with nothing – neither what he’s chasing nor what he already holds.”

Saravanan, the sole MP from MIC, told Utusan Malaysia that MIC felt “unwanted” under the current administration and had been offered no government or GLC posts despite having senior leaders.

The Tapah MP said MIC would decide on its next move after its annual general meeting in October.

But Puad said the party would be better off with Barisan Nasional (BN), instead of making threats that it could not back up.

“Trying to bluff with bargaining power doesn’t work. One seat in Tapah isn’t enough for MIC. Better for MIC to remain in BN,” he said, adding that MIC should “rise with substance” rather than resort to empty threats.

Saravanan later replied to Puad in the comment section, saying he was late to the party and that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had already responded to the issue.

“You think anyone cares about your comments? Only your cyber troopers support you,” he said.

“Don’t you realise that even your own party has been rejected by the Malays? Perikatan Nasional won all of the Malay-majority seats.”

Saravanan also warned Puad of consequences should MIC and MCA quit BN: “From 26 seats now, how many can your party win?”