No regrets as Pita braces for political uncertainty
Pita Limjaroenrat admits his political career may be over if the Move Forward Party (MFP) is dissolved but says he will have no regrets over his time in opposition as the party has been working hard for the people.
Speaking at the end of a two-day general debate in the House last Friday (Apr 5), the former MFP leader said the role of the opposition is important to the democratic system, as a party in opposition can work for everyone, regardless of their political affiliation.
“A healthy democracy is gauged not only by how much absolute power the government has but also how persistent and effective the opposition is on behalf of the people,” he said.
Mr Pita, currently party chief adviser, said he felt no sorrow that last week’s debate might be the end of his political journey. The current parliamentary session concluded on Tuesday (Apr 9).
“As everyone knows, my political career is hanging by a thread, but I am ready to leave like a winner,” he said.
He said he felt even more confident about the future after hearing the arguments of his MP colleagues during the debate.
“Despite the possibility of dissolution, I could see that our journey towards changes in Thailand will continue. The more often our party is dissolved, the faster we can go to achieve our goal,” he said.
However, he expressed regret that the country might be wasting time and opportunities, judging from the government’s responses during the debate to the issues the opposition raised.
“This government lacks a clear direction or agenda. It also failed to accomplish what it promised during the election campaign,” he said.
The seven months since it took office have been a waste of time, he added.
Mr Pita also suggested a Cabinet reshuffle to place the right people in the right jobs and urged the prime minister to come up with his own road map.
Despite winning the most votes and the most seats in the election last May, Mr Pita and MFP were unable to form a government because of opposition by the unelected Senate to the party’s proposal to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese-majeste law.
The Constitutional Court accepted a petition by the Election Commission (EC) to consider the dissolution of the MFP on Apr 3, accusing MFP of wanting to overthrow the democratic system of the government with the King as head of state.
It has been speculated that as many as 44 senior figures in MFP, Mr Pita among them, could face lengthy bans from politics if the party is dissolved as they had put their names to the campaign platform that included amending Section 112.