The Chartthaipattana Party will hold a general assembly on Oct 3 to elect a new executive committee and party leader, a senior party member said on Tuesday
Varawut Silpa-archa, acting chair of the party's policy and strategy committee, said the general assembly, at the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel next Monday, follows the resignation of Kanchana Silpa-archa as party leader.
Ms Kanchana's resignation triggered the termination of the terms of all executive committee members, so a new executive would have to be chosen along with a new party leader.
Mr Varawut, who is also national resources and environment minister, said that as he had discussed with Ms Kanchana, the election of a new executive committee would lead to changes in the party's preparation for the general election and improvements in keeping with the world situation.
Asked if he would accept the post of party leader, Mr Sarawut said that was for party members to decide with their votes on Oct 3.
Asked whether the party leader would be a candidate for prime minister, Mr Varawut said it was normal practice for a party to name its leader as one of its prime ministerial candidates.
On the Pheu Thai Party's overwhelming victory in the election of the chairman of the Roi Et provincial administration organisation, fuelling its general election hopes, Mr Varawut said it was only a local government election. However, it could serve as a warning for all candidates not to be complacent about their chances of being elected.
He said the party had warned its MPs and aspiring candidates to be careful and strictly follow the Election Commission's campaign regulations during the 180-day electioneering period ahead of the general election scheduled in May.
