Coalition parties yesterday failed to reach a consensus on a blanket pardon for banned politicians but agreed to support the premier's road map for national reconciliation, a coalition source said.
"We should respect the rule of law. But if anyone wants to do a referendum on the issue [of an amnesty], we can do it together on election day," Newin, another banned politician, was quoted as saying.
Abhisit supported Newin, saying it was difficult to grant any clemency as his Democrat Party was facing its own dissolution case.
"I planned the election to fall on November 14, in accordance with the present situation. If all parties can campaign throughout the country, the polling date should be the same as I announced. But if our country remains in turmoil, I may postpone the election," Abhisit was quoted as saying.
Newin said after the meeting that he thought the outlawed politicians should bide their time.
"The country cannot go on without patience and sacrifice," he said.
The coalition parties, which met on Monday night at Suvarnabhumi Airport, also asked Abhisit to change the Constitution on two points involving the signing of international treaties and the system of electing MPs before dissolving the House.
The coalition parties except the ruling Democrats demanded the multi-MP constituency system be scrapped in favour of the previous single-seat contest for future elections.
However, Abhisit and Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban promised their partners they would amend the charter.
The coalition also described this week as the "most volatile" for the red-shirt protesters. Due to the worsening conflict between the hardliners and those wanting to end the rally soon, the coalition believes violence could break out targeting the moderate leaders.
So they asked the premier to distinguish clearly between the hawks and the doves, so that he could deal with them more easily.
Meanwhile, Democrat Party spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks said yesterday the November 14 poll date might have to be postponed if the red shirts keep on finding excuses not to end their rally at Rajprasong.
The Democrats voiced concern that the road map for reconciliation might be derailed due to three hurdles, he said.
nThe red shirts appear to be divided on how and when to disband their rally site. Their core leaders have tried to stall the decision for dispersal by revising the pre-conditions for the government to implement in exchange for ending the protest.
After Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban reported himself to acknowledge a complaint on the use of excessive force related to the April 10 violence, the red shirts said they wanted Suthep to surrender to the Crime Suppression Division instead of the Department of Special Investigation.
nViolent incidents have continued to take place despite the reds' endorsement of the reconciliation plan. Red-shirt supporter Maj-General Khattiya "Seh Daeng" Sawasdipol claimed that former premier Thaksin Shinawatra was the only individual who could order an end to the protest.
nThe Pheu Thai Party, seen as the main backer of the red-shirt movement, has openly opposed the road map.
The Democrat spokesman said the main ruling coalition party suspected that Thaksin was reluctant to give his blessing for the reconciliation before he could overcome his legal predicament.
"I heard Thaksin has been approaching various political groups, such as the Bangkok 50, in order to recruit a power broker to work out a settlement to his court cases," Buranaj said.
The Bhum Jai Thai Party issued a statement endorsing the reconciliation plans and encouraging the fence-mending measures to proceed regardless of the reaction of the red shirts.