Is the opposition being foolhardy by pursuing censure debate?

As the preparations for the censure debate have reached the final stage, it is evident a mistake is about to be made - the opposition is turning the motion of no confidence into hot air instead of exposing flawed performance.

It is not unusual for a grilling to take place at the very first House session after a government has come to power. But it will be unprecedented for the Pheu Thai Party to censure the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration as a pretext for its ulterior motive of exacting revenge for ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

It is unfortunate that the main opposition party has succumbed to the pettiness of vengeful politics. The direction of the opposition bench is in doubt when Pheu Thai MPs appear to focus on acting like pawns in the power struggle involving Thaksin.

For the pro-Thaksin camp, the censure debate is an expedient move to boost the ex-premier's bargaining leverage by faulting the Democrats.

Pracharat Party leader Snoh Thienthong has warned that his fellow opposition lawmakers are not carrying out their duty in a straightforward manner.

Under Snoh's assessment, it is unjustified to censure the Abhisit government without evidence to back up the charges. Nothing will be achieved by bluffing and the already volatile situation is likely to be further inflamed, he said.

He has also cast doubt on the suitability of Chalerm as replacement prime minister should the censure bring about the government's exit. "Chalerm has a history that cannot be erased," he said.

It is an open secret that Chalerm used to work as a political henchman in order to catapult himself into prominence.

The splinter group of the Puea Pandin Party has refused to sponsor the no-confidence motion, although it remains closer to the opposition bench than the coalition.

Regardless of the voice of caution from within the opposition bench, Chalerm and the majority of Pheu Thai MPs are determined to plough on with the censure.

By this week, the main opposition party is expected to name Chalerm as replacement for Prime Minister Abhisit, a final move to wrap up the drafting of the no-confidence motion.

Chief opposition whip Withaya Buranasiri has conceded although a number of lawmakers have reservations about Chalerm, the opposition will proceed to name him as replacement prime minister.

Chalerm's nomination is a gesture recognising his efforts to bring about the censure, Withaya said. The underlying message is there is no harm in stroking Chalerm's ego since no one expects a defeat of the Democrats.

The opposition is likely to lodge its motion no later than next week to pave way for the censure debate to take place by March 25-to-26. The current House session will end this month and the censure has to happen before the deadline. Otherwise the opposition will have to wait almost a year before the next opportunity comes up.

Abhisit is the main target for censure. He is slated to face the grilling as well as the impeachment proceedings for alleged graft misconduct. Even though he has not attracted a single controversy to his name, the opposition has no choice but to discredit him in order to lend credence to the censure.

The opposition has reportedly planned to grill the prime minister on 14 issues. Its highlights include the Bt250 million financial contribution linked to the Democrats, the discrepancies allegedly detected in various asset statements filed by Abhisit and the conflict of interest relating to the stimulus package.

Certain opposition members have threatened to expand the censure to cover Abhisit's wife and his mother.

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij, Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya and Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai have been targeted for censure as Abhisit's sidekicks.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul and Transport Minister Sophon Saram have been placed on the tentative list as additional censure targets.

Although Abhisit has welcomed the upcoming censure as an opportunity to ensure accountability, the question remains whether the opposition has a serious case against the government or wants to stage a political drama.