Abhisit, PM trade court case taunts

Abhisit, PM trade court case taunts

A war of words has broken out between caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva over the premier's criticism of the Constitutional Court's decision to rule on her status.

Since they ran against each other in the May, 2011, election, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra have met several times, professionally and socially. But as this photo shows, they have never been close. (File photo by Patipat Janthong)

Ms Yingluck hit back at Mr Abhisit, who had suggested that she stand down so that the court would not have to rule on her status.

"I think Mr Abhisit is aware that a government has the obligation to perform the caretaker role after a House dissolution. I have an obligation to do this," she said.

"By dissolving the House we've returned the mandate to the people who will democratically elect a new leader. It doesn't mean no rules apply after a House dissolution."

The prime minister also denied the charge that she rejected the Constitutional Court's authority to rule on her status, saying she was simply making an observation about its decision.

Earlier, Ms Yingluck wrote on her Facebook page that the court set a new precedent when it accepted for consideration a petition involving her caretaker premier status.

The petition was lodged by a group of senators after the Supreme Administrative Court ruled last month that Ms Yingluck's order transferring National Security Council chief Thawil Pliensri in 2011 was unlawful. The petitioners asked the court to rule if she should be disqualified over the case.

Ms Yingluck admitted she was worried about the legal dispute and hoped the Constitutional Court judges would adhere to the principle of equality and would not use double standards when making a ruling.

Mr Abhisit said the caretaker prime minister was trying to discredit independent agencies. According to the Democrat leader, the prime minister was trying to mislead the public into thinking that the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Administrative Court were working on the same case, which is not true.

He said the case at the Supreme Administrative Court deals with her transfer order, not her personally. But the case at the Constitutional Court deals with her alleged violations of the constitution.

"She said the case is unprecedented, but has there been anyone in a caretaker position like her who faced a similar legal challenge like she does? If she does not have the caretaker role, there would be no case [for the court to consider]," he said.

The Democrat leader also said the Pheu Thai Party tends to claim the Constitutional Court has no authority to rule rather than trying to disprove the allegation.

"They want to make the people believe there should not be an organisation to scrutinise the use of power. That is holding the country back," he said.

Former Democrat MP Wirat Kalayasiri on Thursday also slammed Ms Yingluck for trying to create misunderstanding and discrediting the Constitutional Court. He said Pheu Thai was also distorting the fact that the status of the prime minister ended as a consequence of the House dissolution and there was no case for the court to rule. According to Mr Wirat, the case deals with her alleged breaches of the charter over the Thawil case.

However, Pheu Thai legal specialist Khanin Boonsuwan Thurday challenged the petition seeking the ruling on the prime minister's status, saying it was unconstitutional. He argued that a petition seeking a ruling in this case requires the endorsement of at least 65 MPs and senators and it must be submitted via the parliament president only.

However, the petition was signed by 28 senators and submitted by the deputy Senate speaker. He said the court's acceptance of an "unconstitutional" petition implies that the court was expanding its authority with an aim to bring down the government and create a political vacuum.

Meanwhile, Ms Yingluck said all political parties should work together to address Election Commission concerns that a new general election may be delayed for several months.

Asked if the EC was slow in holding a meeting to discuss the election with political parties, she said the date is not relevant as long as there is a will to make the election happen.

The EC is scheduled to meet political parties on April 22 to discuss fresh elections.

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