Jatuporn hints readiness for ministerial post; PM refuses to comment
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Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan Wednesday hinted he was ready for a ministerial appointment, but Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra remained silent about her plans to reshuffle the Cabinet.
“PM Yingluck has a direct mandate on the Cabinet line-up and my future is still a matter of speculation,” he said, reacting to his potential candidacy for the position of deputy interior minister.
Jatuporn said his immediate concerns were his life-long devotion to serve the red-shirt movement and his MP status. He said he did not know if he would have his House seat following the May 18 verdict on his qualifications.
He said he would serve in any capacity deemed necessary by the prime minister.
He dismissed the allegation that he might become a government’s lightning rod if appointed to the Cabinet, saying as a red shirt, he was not a “weakest link”.
He said he did not foresee a power struggle between Pheu Thai MPs and the 111 barred Thai Rak Thai executives who will complete their ban later this month, arguing that the prime minister would assign each individual to serve in an appropriate role.
PM Yingluck refused to answer a direct question on the Cabinet line-up, saying this was not the time to comment on the issue.
Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said in his opinion, Jatuporn was qualified as deputy interior minister but the prime minister would have a final say on the matter.
Yongyuth said despite the wild speculations about the Cabinet line-up, the prime minister had not indicated any reshuffle of her ministers at this juncture.
