Former Democrat Party leader and prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says he has rejected the party’s offer for him to contest the upcoming election as a party-list candidate, because he does not want to confuse the public about the party’s political stance.
He also says that he has clashed with the party on several issues, since the party decided to join the coalition government led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha about four years ago.
In his interview on Nation TV’s Kom Chad Luek program last night (Tuesday), Abhisit said, however, that he and two other former leaders of the party, Chuan Leekpai and Banyat Bantadtan, have agreed to help campaign for the party, with the two others expected to contest the election.
Abhisit said there is nothing complicated about his decision not to stand in the upcoming election or as the party’s candidate for the prime minister’s post, citing his decision to quit as the party leader after the party’s failure in the last election.
He also said that he resigned as an MP after the party, led by incumbent leader Jurin Laksanawisit, joined the coalition government, led by General Prayut, because he had to keep his word to the people that he would not join Prayut’s coalition.
Four years since he quit as party leader and an MP, Abhisit disclosed that Jurin had invited Chuan, Banyat and himself for discussions about the possibility of them contesting the election or how they could help.
He said he told Jurin that, if he contests the election, it would not be beneficial to the party. Moreover, it would cause public confusion, which may lead to disunity in the party.
Asked whether he wants to return as an MP, Abhisit said that throughout his political career he has been an MP and, if he contests this election as a party-list candidate, he believes his name will be put among those at the top.
