Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has denied applying double standards by favouring Phalang Pracharat, the aspiring party at the centre of the "poaching" controversy surrounding former MPs.
Gen Prayut said Tuesday Phalang Pracharat had not yet assumed full party status. It applied for party registration with the Election Commission (EC) and only has a name.
"What have I got to do with anything?" he said.
Phalang Pracharat has reportedly been linked to the Sam Mitr (Three Allies) group of veteran politicians. The group has been accused of poaching former MPs and recruiting them for Phalang Pracharat, a party thought to be a vehicle to help Gen Prayut return as premier after the next election scheduled next February.
Gen Prayut insisted he had no preferences for any particular party. He said he was only on speaking terms with politicians and political parties.
"We know and treat each other with respect. This is how we should co-exist and it will keep the country in order," the prime minister said.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, meanwhile, said that if Sam Mitr has broken the law regarding any attempt to poach MPs for Phalang Pracharat, the EC must launch a probe.
The EC must show it can perform its duty independently to investigate Sam Mitr and see if there are grounds to the allegation the group was siphoning off former MPs for Phalang Pracharat.
"If the commission cannot show people it can uphold its independence, there are bound to be profound ramifications for the country's politics in the future," he said.
Mr Abhisit also said that any group was entitled to support anyone as long as it was within the bounds of the law.
The Democrat leader was referring to Sam Mitr's open pledge to rally behind Gen Prayut if he bids to return as prime minister after the next poll.
The group is led by veteran former MPs such as former transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkij and former industry minister Somsak Thepsuthin.
On Monday, Suchart Lainamngern, a former Pheu Thai MP for Lop Buri, called on the EC to reject Phalang Pracharat's party registration application.
He alleged some high-profile government figures are also complicit in Sam Mitr's poaching of former MPs for the prospective party. Mr Suchart insisted this must be investigated as it violates the constitution which bars meddling in political party affairs by outsiders.
Political analysts agreed the EC's independence will be tested as Sam Mitr members are thought to be close to government insiders.
The group could be a crucial vehicle for charting the course for Gen Prayut's future after the poll, if he decides to enter politics.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said he had not been informed about Mr Suchart's complaint to the EC.
However, he maintained it was premature for the former Pheu Thai MP to be seeking legal action as Phalang Pracharat's status as a political party has not been confirmed by the EC.
He also distanced himself from alleged links to Sam Mitr. "I haven't done anything and there's nothing to it," Gen Prawit said.
