Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday denied a claim that his party made a deal with the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) to support its leader Prawit Wongsuwon becoming the next prime minister.
Mr Phumtham was reacting to PPRP deputy leader Wirat Ratanasate's remarks that fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra agreed to the party backing Gen Prawit for the top post after the May 14 polls.
"Is he daydreaming? The party's executive board never made a decision like that," Mr Phumtham said.
He said it is the party's executive board that is authorised to decide on the issue.
Pheu Thai's goal is to capture 310 House seats to prevent the coup-appointed Senate from having a decisive role in co-electing a prime minister, he said.
According to the Pheu Thai official, there seems to be an attempt to either discredit Pheu Thai or exploit its popularity for political gain, noting if the party meets its MP target, it will not need any partners to form a coalition government.
"We're aiming for a decisive majority to fight off the Senate. We've never made a deal with any party about forming a coalition," he said.
Mr Phumtham said the party prefers to form a coalition government with its opposition allies if possible. If Pheu Thai wins 310 House seats, the prime minister must be one of Pheu Thai's candidates; otherwise, it will be against the people's will, he insisted.
Thaksin also reacted to Mr Wirat's remarks via his Twitter account.
The ousted prime minister said he does not have power in the Pheu Thai Party and has not spoken to Gen Prawit for about 17 years. He also said he believed the party will win more than 250 seats, and if that is the case, it will not give the PM post to Gen Prawit.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday declined to comment on the alleged deal between Gen Prawit and Thaksin while also refusing to answer questions if he would be a party-list candidate of the United Thai Nation Party.
Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday reiterated his party has not cut a deal with the PPRP to support Gen Prawit becoming the next prime minister.