PUBLISHED : 24 Jul 2023 at 04:30
The Move Forward Party will not quit the eight-party coalition and let people down, MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat said yesterday.
During a trip to Chanthaburi province, reporters asked Mr Pita to comment on whether other parties in the alliance were asking the MFP to sacrifice itself by leaving the coalition to pave the way for the formation of the next government.
“A sacrifice would mean dumping 14 million votes and disappointing people,” Mr Pita said, referring to the votes MFP won during the May 14 general election.
“Promises and principles must be kept, rather than telling a party to sacrifice itself.”
“If we keep the promises we made with people, no one will have to make a sacrifice,” he added.
Mr Pita acknowledged the Pheu Thai Party, its main coalition partner, had offered talks with the pro-military Palang Pracharath (PPRP) and United Thai Nation (UTN) parties.
When asked if the meetings were intended to pressure the MFP to leave the eight-party alliance, Mr Pita said if the parties joined the coalition, the MFP could not stay.
“As far as I know, the parties were invited only for an exchange of opinions. I will wait for an explanation from the Pheu Thai Party.
“I can confirm that I still have trust and confidence in Pheu Thai,” Mr Pita said.
He also acknowledged a meeting between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai, Chartpattanakla and UTN, which said they saw the MFP as an obstacle to forming a government.
Asked if the notion was aimed at pressuring the MFP to call off its efforts to form a government, Mr Pita said if the coalition allies remained united, there would be no pressure exerted from outside parties.
Asked how the MFP would respond if its seven coalition allies called for it to back down on efforts to amend the lese majeste law, Mr Pita said he would first listen for more details on their opposition.
Despite the political dramas, Mr Pita said he is in good spirits as he travels the provinces to support the work of MFP MPs.
He also said his legal team is preparing a defence against those questioning his eligibility for political-office positions.