11.   They deserted his party in droves in the last election, largely because of the Anwar trial.

12.   Among them is former Interior Minister Sanoh Thienthong, who deserted another party to join Thai Rak Thai just before the election.

13.   The Liberal Democrats said they had established the Peel Group to make former Conservatives welcome and encourage more to desert the party.

14.   Several long-standing leaders have deserted the party like a sinking ship or have been expelled after rebelling against Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, the Congress president.