BANGKOK, May 13 (TNA) – Leader of Bhumjaithai Party which
emerges as a swing party insists the party has not been in talks with any
political bloc and will listen to people’s voice in making decision.
Bhumjaithai who won 51 seats in the March 24 election is
seen as a kingmaker to enable either pro- or anti-junta camp to form a
coalition government.
Its leader Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters, as he led the
party’s MP-elects to receive certificate from the Election Commission on
Monday, that the party would hold a meeting on May 20.
In the meantime, he instructed party members to visit their
constituents to thank for their votes and listen to their opinions, he said.
Anutin rejected media reports that his party has negotiated
with pro-junta political blocs led by Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and
disputed over ministerial post allocation.
“I have never talked to anyone. Report says Bhumjaithai gets certain
ministerial posts; no, never. We are
unsatisfied? No, we have not been in
talks,” he said.
PPRP-led bloc has secured 138 seats in the 500-seat chamber
but is seen as having upper hand although the rival bloc’s seat count is higher
at 245.
Bhumjaithai along with other undecided parties — Democrat,
Chartthaipattana and Chartpattana – have accounted for 116 MPs to become a
potential alternative bloc.
Anti-junta camp of Pheu Thai Party has campaigned to
pressure the undecided faction to “respect people’s voice” and denounce the
junta’s attempt to prolong its power.
The country’s oldest party, Democrat Party, meanwhile, has
also denied having negotiated with the pro-regime bloc. The Party will on Wednesday vote to select
its new leader after Abhisit Vejjajiva resigned following the disappointing
poll results.
Democrat’s next leader will be key to forming the
government. Even though Abhisit made
campaign promise not to join a pro-junta coalition no one can guarantee the
party will keep up with that promise under a new leader and executives.
Analysts say given their bitter ties with Pheu Thai both
Democrat and Bhumjaithai are leaning toward PPRP-led camp. (TNA)
