Efforts are being made to stop potential financial backers from supporting existing political parties as a ploy to force those parties into the fold of a military-backed one, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has revealed.
Mr Abhisit said yesterday he had received confirmation from someone in the government that efforts were under way to cut off financial backing to existing parties.
"For example, if they [people in the government] approach you, they are going tell you to go over and support them. They're going tell you that if you remain here, no one will give you financial support. If you support them, they will take better care of you," Mr Abhisit said.
He said that his party had not yet met for discussions with its financial backers due to the restrictions on party activities.
Mr Abhisit insisted the Democrat Party will continue to adhere to its principles even if this puts it at a political disadvantage.
"Those who act shamelessly often have an advantage," the Democrat leader said, adding that coming to power through unjust means would only lead to future conflicts.
He called for a level political playing field for all parties, saying voters will have the final say in the election and poll results must be respected.
Mr Abhisit said he was confident that most former Democrat MPs would remain loyal to the party.
So far, no one in the party had shown a desire to defect, except for a few who left to help their relatives run new political parties, he said.
Mr Abhisit said the Democrats have attracted a new generation of voters aged 25-30 who are interested in engaging in politics and are keen to help with national development.
The party is preparing to allow members to vote for a party leader, he said.
Asked whether the Democrats could work with the Pheu Thai Party if they ended up on the opposition bench after the election, Mr Abhisit said there is no need for the two parties to join hands as they could play their opposition roles separately.
The Democrat Party will stick to its ideology and principles, he said, adding that it was too early to predict the poll results.
Mr Abhisit's remarks coincided with media speculation that the regime is forging alliances with small- and medium-sized parties to woo politicians into its fold, as a prelude to establishing a military-backed party to support Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha returning as prime minister after an election expected by February next year.
The move comes after a political group applied to register the Pracharath Party with the Election Commission, with Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana speculated to be the new party leader and Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong its secretary-general.
Deputy Prime Minister Chatchai Sarikulya said yesterday he had no idea whether Gen Prayut would return as prime minister as he currently has his hands full dealing with government work.