Ramasamy’s statement was prompted by the resignation of a DAP member over the party’s alliance with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), chaired by the former prime minister.
Ramasamy said party members were free to object and one member’s discontent was not reflective of the party’s mood.
He said DAP’s cooperation with Mahathir did not mean the party had forsaken its principles, but was merely strategising to beat BN in the next general election.
“Politics is about what is possible. We need to rally to make sure Umno and BN fall in the next election. What is so bad about that?
“Yes, we have our principles and we are not forsaking them. There is nothing wrong with allying with someone who also wants to bring down a corrupt regime.
“Should he (the ally) be pushed away or welcomed with open arms?” Ramasamy said after opening the Small and Medium Enterprise Franchise 360 degrees Conversion in Sunway Hotel, Seberang Jaya, today.
Recently, outspoken Chai Leng Park DAP member Shamsher Singh Thind resigned from the party over the its alliance with Mahathir.
Shamsher had said the party should demand that Mahathir apologise for his past attacks on DAP.
Shamsher said he could “write a thesis” on the number and extent of allegations DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang and other prominent opposition leaders had made against Mahathir in the past.
Ramasamy admitted there were many opposition figures who had gotten the short end of the stick from Mahathir when he was prime minister.
“Former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim suffered under him, but even Anwar’s wife can today accept him (Mahathir).
“Even Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng and the late Karpal suffered under Mahathir. But today, Kit Siang has forgiven him,” Ramasamy said.
“Why can’t the others be the bigger person and forgive Mahathir also?”
Ramasamy said no one was “indispensable” in the DAP, which was determined to work towards the betterment of the country.