Veteran politician Chaturon Chaisang yesterday led a group of Pheu Thai Party members to join its Thai Raksa Chart "offshoot" amid speculation that this forms part of the former ruling party's election strategy to secure as many votes as possible with its allies.
Mr Chaturon's move came shortly after he confirmed he had resigned from Pheu Thai on Friday.
He denied the defection was an attempt to ensure Pheu Thai and its offshoots have the best chance of winning the election, but admitted the task at hand was to stop the regime from prolonging its stay in power.
He said the coup-sponsored constitution was designed to undermine major political parties, which would hit parties in the pro-democracy camp the hardest in the upcoming polls.
If he and others could win big in the poll, it would help reduce the chance of the regime returning to power, Mr Chaturon said.
"As we know, rules were designed to reduce the people's power and a certain politician even said the charter was designed for his group," he said.
He was apparently referring to remarks made by a leading figure of the pro-regime Sam Mitr group who was quoted as saying that the constitution was designed "for us". The group co-leaders and many members have applied for membership of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP).
Mr Chaturon also stressed he was not trying to wriggle out of his own political predicament by joining Thai Raksa Chart. He and several Pheu Thai figures reportedly do have a constituency to contest under the Pheu Thai ticket and have had to jump ship.
"I want to use new ideas to drive national development. I want this party to be a vessel helping political parties and politicians avoid the 'trap' [set by the regime] so that we can achieve our goal of developing the country. We have set a goal of helping the pro-democracy camp win 251 House seats," he said.
When asked to rate the PPRP's chance of winning a mandate to form a coalition government, Mr Chaturon said the pro-democracy camp has to explain to voters why they should vote for the bloc.
He refused to comment on speculation that Thai Raksa Chart will focus on bringing in party-list seats while Pheu Thai will concentrate on capturing MPs in the constituency race.
Also defecting to Thai Raka Chart, widely touted as the Pheu Thai's sister party to help capture votes in the general election, were Mr Chaturon's siblings, Wutthipong and Thitima, as well as key red-shirt figures including Nattawut Saikuar, Weng Tojirakarn and Veerakarn Musikapong. Norawich Lalaeng, lawyer of fugitive prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, also sought admission to the party.
Mr Nattawut said yesterday he joined Thai Raksa Chart with the only condition that the party must not deviate from its political stance and democratic principles.
He also rejected speculation his party would focus on winning party-list seats.
Mr Chaturon yesterday also turned up at the Pheu Thai offices to bid farewell to party heavyweights before he applied to Thai Raksa Chart.
Pheu Thai secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai said yesterday several Pheu Thai members have left because the charter is not conducive for them to remain in the party.
