Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin caused a stir within Democrat Party ranks yesterday when he claimed an opposition party participated in secret talks to join the Pheu Thai-led coalition.
Without naming names, Mr Srettha said that a party in the opposition camp took part in secret discussions about becoming part of the governing coalition.
However, he said he had no part in the discussions.
His remarks came amid rumours that the Democrats were being brought in to bolster the government coalition's position in the House, as a cabinet reshuffle is expected after the two-day general debate which was set to conclude last night.
"I believe there were [discussions], but they didn't talk to me because I kept insisting that our coalition remains solid and we're working well.
"It's their business with whom they are in talks with. But there must have been [this type of discussion]," he said.
When asked about the prospect of adding a new party to the coalition, the prime minister insisted that he has no plans to take in a new coalition partner.
The Pheu Thai-led coalition government consists of 11 parties. It commands a majority in the House of Representatives, with 315 MPs under its wing.
If combined with the 21 MPs from the Democrat Party, the number of government MPs would reach 336.
The Democrat Party, now under the leadership of Chalermchai Sri-on, is believed likely to join the Pheu Thai coalition, although its key figures have so far said they do not support any bid to be part of the government.
Mr Srettha's comments angered Democrat MPs Jurin Laksanawisit and Chaichana Dejdecho.
Mr Jurin said Mr Srettha should remember his own words, though he stopped short of saying whether he meant the government coalition had at one stage promised to bring the party into its fold.
The former Democrat leader also criticised Mr Srettha for likening the party to a bug, saying the premier's remark indicated that he was easily annoyed by criticism.
Mr Chaichana, an MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat, called on Mr Srettha to show maturity and name the opposition party.
When asked about the possibility that the rumour could have been leaked by the party itself, the MP said he could not think why the Democrats would do such a thing.