Opposition up in arms over censure rescheduling

Opposition whip chairman Withaya Buranasiri, submitted a letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Chai, urging Parliament not to bring forward the no-confidence debate from March 26-27 to March 19-20.

Pheu Thai Party party list MP Sunai Chulapongsathorn said Parliament should consult with the opposition on any important House meeting, otherwise it would be in contravention of political procedure.

He had learnt that a close aide of Abhisit and Chai rescheduled the meeting to take political advantage of the opposition.

He said the opposition needed time to make power points, VCDs, and CDs with information for the no-confidence debate.

He denied the Opposition requested the debate for March 26-27 because it wanted to instigate public support for the red-shirt rally to be held on March 29.

Withaya said he had asked Abhisit and Chai to extend the no-confidence debate from two days to three, or from March 19-21.

Pheu Thai Party party list MP Chatuporn Prompan said the red shirts might bring their rally date closer to the no-confidence debate, but not on March 19-20, the date rescheduled by Parliament.

Government whip Soravuth Neangjumnong said the government and opposition chief whips will meet today to discuss the issue.

Extending the debate period is negotiable, but postponing the debate would have many problems. The House Speaker will be busy next week while the Asean Plus Three meeting takes place in early April, he said.