No rift in Pheu Thai

Incoming Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has brushed aside reports that there might be a rift inside her Pheu Thai Party upon the selection of appropriate figures for ministerial portfolios.

According to Ms Yingluck, at present the Pheu Thai-led government consists of 300 MP seats from six political parties. As for the selection of new cabinet members, the discussion has not yet taken place as the party has been waiting for the Election Commission’s endorsement.

The incoming prime minister has also reaffirmed that the selection of MPs for ministerial portfolios will be based on their knowledge and competence, and the opportunity is opened for everyone inside the Pheu Thai Party as well as outsiders.

Asked if the cabinet appointment might lead to internal conflicts in her party, Ms Yingluck said she believed all elected candidates were reasonable people who were well aware of the party’s objectives.

Asked if was true that the Pheu Thai Party would take control of the Ministries of Agriculture and Cooperative as well as Energy, now under coalition partners Chart Thai Pattana and Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Parties respectively, the Pheu Thai heavyweight brushed aside the rumor and said it was too soon to talk about this.

Ms Yingluck also downplayed rumors that she would travel to Hong Kong to meet with her brother ex-Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra to discuss the new cabinet line-up. She said she was busy working on her policy address to Parliament and had no time to discuss the new cabinet formation.