A Military police officer escorts former Thai Rak Thai MP Surapong Tovijakchaikul, second from left, away from the Statue of Three Ancient Kings in Chiang Mai yesterday. Surapong and his followers planned to launch a signature campaign at the site to peti

Thai Rak Thai Group leader Chaturon Chaisang is calling on the Council for National Security (CNS) to make a clear statement on the participation of new organisations in the general election.

Meanwhile, the group is seeking voters to back it in forming a new political party.

Chaturon told a news conference yesterday at the headquarters of the dissolved party that he would meet key members today to discuss the formation of a new party.

He said former party members of Parliament would be asked to canvass voters' opinions.

"We will hold seminars in many areas to talk about the current political situation and the formation of a new party," Chaturon said. Supporters would be asked to sign forms indicating they backed a new party.

Chaturon said the CNS must make it clear if it would allow new parties to contest the election.

"Some CNS leaders have said they want to know who will win an election before it returns power to the people," Chaturon said.

"We need to understand if the junta wants Thai Rak Thai involved in politics, or not. I want it to tell the people clearly if it wants new parties contesting the election, or not; or if it wants Thai Rak Thai to withdraw from forming a new party."

He believed the junta should not ban Thai Rak Thai from the ballot if it was genuine about holding a fair poll.

The group will ask the National Legislative Assembly tomorrow to consider legislation lifting a ban on political activity so that new parties can be formed.

Key Thai Rak Thai Group member Kuthep Saikrajang yesterday attacked the junta, saying its priority was to "destroy" deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"It seems the CNS and its government is worried only about destroying Thaksin rather than solving national problems such as the deep South and the economy. Its performance shows us the removal of Thaksin is its agenda," Kuthep said.