Key Pheu Thai Party figure Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan has denied that her close aide, Sita Divari, is being groomed to lead the party.
Mr Sita, a former government spokesman who used to serve as an executive of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, was named as a possible candidate for the party leadership two days after Nuttaphong Kunakornwong, the son-in-law of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, quelled rumours that he was in the running.
Khunying Sudarat told the Bangkok Post Thursday there was no substance to speculation that Mr Sita, now the presumptive Pheu Thai director, aims to clinch the party leadership.
It has been reported that Mr Sita was backed by Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, Thaksin's former wife.
Mr Sita has also retained close ties to Panthongtae Shinawatra, the son of Thaksin and Khunying Potjaman.
Given his connection to both Khunying Sudarat and Khunying Potjaman, Mr Sita is thought to have a reasonable chance of leading Pheu Thai.
Khunying Sudarat is also believed to be at the forefront of the party leadership race even though she may not be favoured by Khunying Potjaman, who reportedly wields much influence in Pheu Thai,according to a source. Khunying Sudarat insisted Mr Sita would not even entertain the thought of becoming Pheu Thai's leader. He is now taking on the unofficial mantle of party director.
Khunying Sudarat admitted her chances of being Pheu Thai boss may be waning. She did not elaborate.
"Mr Sita and I are as close as we've ever been. We're a team. But there is a high possibility that I will not become Pheu Thai leader," she said.
Despite Khunying Sudarat's pessimism, a party source said she remains the strongest potential candidate for the party leadership. But Mr Sita giving her a run for her money can't be dismissed out of hand, the source added.
Mr Sita's involvement in party director work related to financial and political affairs may provide him with the requisites needed to be party leader.
The work has provided him with internal management skills and the ability to coordinate with people in various factions of the party.
But if Mr Sita fails to make the cut, he could be made a full-time party director should Khunying Sudarat win the leadership as she would need someone she can trust in the director's seat.
Political parties are looking forward to the political activities ban being partially lifted by the regime after the organic law on the election of MPs has been royally endorsed, probably this month.
During the 90-day waiting period before the organic law takes effect, the parties are expected to be permitted to elect new executive boards and, where needed, vote for a new leader. Pheu Thai is expected to elect 19 party executives who are experienced politicians.
The Pheu Thai source pointed out that the longer the party goes without a leader, the more uncertain the chances are of Khunying Sudarat taking over the leadership due to challenges from other potential candidates.
"Khunying Sudarat is still up there at the top of the party's potential list of candidates. If she were to lose that position, there must be someone else who is the undisputed 'real deal'," the source said.
