Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has denied the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is backing Alongkorn Ponlaboot, the former deputy chairman of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA), as a candidate in the Democrat Party leadership race.
Gen Prawit said Tuesday Mr Alongkorn has no connection to the NCPO and that it was "pure fantasy" for former Democrat list MP Watchara Phethong to suggest Mr Alongkorn is the regime's puppet.
"A party leadership election is a political matter which the regime has nothing to do with," he said.
Mr Watchara said on Monday that "certain regime figures" may be trying to get someone to give Mr Abhisit a run for his money. The former list MP added Mr Abhisit may be viewed as an obstacle to the regime prolonging its grip on power after the next poll.
"Where is Mr Alongkorn in the NCPO? Is he close to any top brass in the council's ranks?" the deputy premier said.
He insisted it should not be assumed that because Mr Alongkorn quit his position as Democrat deputy leader to work in the NRSA, he was taking orders from the regime.
Mr Alongkorn said he was considering joining the race for the Democrat leadership after being approached by some former MPs.
He said Tuesday he might seek to become the Democrat leader only if the party agrees not to engage in underhanded or corrupt dealings in the run-up to the next general election.
The party must also vow to refrain from resorting to any mudslinging in an election campaign, or take any unlawful campaign donations, he said.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has introduced an open system in which registered members can propose candidates for the party leadership.
The candidates, who can also be party outsiders, will be presented to the party's general meeting where they will choose a party leader.
Thawil Praison, a Democrat former list MP, said Mr Alongkorn is a party outsider although he was previously a Democrat deputy leader.