The opposition will still push for a no-confidence motion against the prime minister even though the government has agreed to convene a joint House-Senate session for a general debate on its performance, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

“The most appropriate move is to censure Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra because all problems have stemmed from him,” Abhisit said.

The general debate was unlikely to dispel doubts because Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam had already said many topics were off limit, he said.

“I urge the government to allow the censure on Thaksin’s involvement in the Shin Corp sell-off if it is sincere about ending the existing turmoil,” he said.

The public would not be satisfied with any debate in Parliament that failed to address what they want to know about the tax-free sale, he said.

The government’s attempts to shield the prime minister were likely to fan anti-Thaksin sentiment, he said, noting that a growing number of government supporters, including political veteran Chamlong Srimuang, have switched sides and called for the PM to step down.

Chat Thai Party deputy leader Somsak Prissanananthakul said Thaksin should allow himself to be grilled by lawmakers instead of trying to shift the blame to the government’s performance.

“The performance debate is unacceptable because the government has never paid attention to proposals from lawmakers,” he said, noting that past debates, including ones on the crisis in the South and on poverty eradication, had been shelved.

Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua said the government was empowered to call the joint session when necessary for consultation on how to resolve relevant issues.

“In the present situation, pressing problems stem from the Shin Corp sell-off and constitutional amendments and I suggest the government should clearly outline topics for the general debate,” he said.

Relevant parties should try to solve problems in Parliament rather than exert pressure outside the legislative process, he added.

Opposition chief whip Sathit Wongnongtoey said the upcoming debate would not resolve the political turmoil triggered by public anger over Thaksin’s questionable conduct. “Unless the prime minister agrees to answer all relevant questions, political tension will mount,” he said.

Meanwhile Senator Thongbai Thongpao (Maha Sarakham) disagreed with the proposal to discuss the present political tension in the House saying the move was only political motivated to ease public pressure on the government. He said he saw no use in having 700 MPs and senators getting together for one day to discuss the matter.

Senator Maleerat Kaewka (Sakon Nakhon) said she believes the proposal came a bit too late since the public believed Thaksin had lost legitimacy to run the country.

Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya said he could explain to the House that the Shin Corp sale was legal.