By Thai Newsroom Reporters
THE BHUMJAITHAI was today (May 20) slapped with another dissolution-seeking lawsuit accusing the second largest coalition partner under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob of preplanned involvement by prominent partisan members in vote-rigging, bloc-voting and money-laundering conspiracies over last year’s senatorial elections.
Former senatorial contestant Kusumavati Sirikomut today formally lodged a petition for the Election Commission to investigate the allegations filed against Bhumjaithai secretary-general-cum-MP Chaichanok Chidchob, son of Newin’s, and Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Interior Minister/Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul on grounds of premeditated involvement in the electoral fraud and money-laundering plots and insisted that the polling agency forward the case over to the Constitutional Court in pursuit of a court-ordered dissolution of Newin’s camp.
According to Kusumavati, also a former Thai Rak Thai MP, a large amount of money allegedly allocated to buy votes among senatorial candidates ranging from those running at district and provincial levels to national level had evidently involved Chaichanok who currently performs as Bhumjaithai secretary-general and MP of Buriram whilst Anutin who concurrently acts as Bhumjaithai leader only in name had allegedly had winning candidates sign their names in letters of resignation as senior lawmakers which had been prepared in advance at a Bangkok hotel.
The petitioner confirmed that she had compiled pieces of evidence such as photos and audio clips pertaining to the alleged money-laundering shenanigans and preparations for the resignation of the pro-Bhumjaithai senators which could possibly be used in case that any relevant legal battles may arise and involve the Bhumjaithai in the future.
A political activist, namely Nataporn Toprayoon, had earlier filed a similar lawsuit seeking the dissolution of the Bhumjaithai on grounds of undermining democratic rule with the monarch as head of state by allegedly orchestrating the unprecedented electoral fraud and money-laundering scams in which as many as 140 out of a total 200 senators have been suspected of involvement.
Subpoenas have been issued for dozens of Bhumjaithai-associated senators for questioning by the polling agency following an in-depth probe into the electoral rigging scandals in alleged connection with Newin’s camp jointly conducted by the Department of Special Investigation, Anti-Money-Laundering Office and Election Commission.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Deputy Prime Minister/Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, left, and former senatorial contestant Kusumavati Sirikomut, right. Photo: Amarin TV
Insert: Bhumjaithai secretary-general-cum-MP Chaichanok Chidchob, left, and his father/de facto party boss Newin Chidchob, right. Photo: Thai Rath
Front Page: Kusumavati Sirikomut. Photo: Naewna
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