Bhumjaithai party leader Anutin Charnvirakul has dismissed the suggestion that the party take the lead in forming an alternative administration, in case the eight coalition parties led by the Move Forward party fail to form a government.

As the third largest party, after Move Forward and Pheu Thai, in terms of House seats, he said that it is the right of the Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties to form the government with their six partners.

The Bhumjaithai party, said Anutin, is ready to perform its role in opposition or in government and, more importantly, in parliament.

He dismissed as completely groundless any speculation that representatives of the Move Forward party had approached Newin Chidchob, reputed to be the de facto leader of the Bhumjaithai party, asking for the party’s support for Pita Limjaroenrat’s prime ministerial candidacy.

“Whatever the deal, if there is any, it must go through the party and myself,” said Anutin, adding that his party will not propose any candidate to contest the House speakership at the House’s first meeting on July 4^th, at which the House speaker and two deputies will be elected.

He also dismissed press reports that, if Bhumjaithai were to take the lead in forming a government, its coalition would exclude the Move Forward party.

The Bhumjaithai party will hold a familiarisation meeting for its 72 new MPs on Sunday.