The People’s Party (PP) brushed aside the Bhumjaithai Party’s (BJT) conditions for a post-election coalition formation, saying the upcoming polls would present voters with a clear choice between a government led by the PP and one headed by the BJT.

PP leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut on Friday was responding to comments by Prime Minister and BJT leader Anutin Charnvirakul, who ruled out working with political parties that support amending Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law.

When asked which parties the PP would be unable to work with, Mr Natthaphong said the PP would not join hands with the Klatham Party. If the BJT chose to work with the Klatham Party, that was its own decision, and the public would determine what kind of government they want, he said.

He dismissed speculation that the PP could be isolated or forced into opposition because of its coalition conditions, saying that in a parliamentary democracy, the party winning the most seats should have the first right to form a government.

He expressed confidence that the PP would finish first in the election and questioned whether the BJT was attempting to form a rival coalition in advance by setting conditions on coalition formation.

The PP’s main task now, he said, was to earn voters’ trust and secure enough seats to lead the next government and prevent rivals from joining forces to block the election winner.

On the lese majeste issue, Mr Natthaphong questioned why the matter was being raised during the campaign and cautioned against using it to influence public sentiment, as there are already clear limits regarding Section 112.

Meanwhile, Mr Anutin on Friday said the BJT made political decisions based on election outcomes after several parties refused to cooperate with the Klatham Party.

On allegations involving “grey capital”, he said no party should be judged before court rulings or due process. With less than two months remaining before the election, he said the public would soon make its voice heard.