They said they would follow the governor’s policies until his term ends next year. “Governor Sukhumbhand and we are still part of the Democrat Party and are determined to work for the benefit of the people despite the problems. The party is a political institution that can have hiccups like any other,” Deputy Governor Pussadee Tamthai said in a press briefing.

Also present were deputy governors Jumpol Sampaopon, Pol General Assawin Kwanmuang and Amorn Kitchavengkul as well as the political administration team.

On Thursday, Democrat Party secretary-general Juti Kraireksh announced that the party was cutting ties with Sukhumbhand, citing difference of opinion and the inability to access the governor, who is also the party’s deputy leader and a former MP.

The announcement followed allegations of corruption in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s projects by some senior party members. The governor is on an official visit to Portugal and will return today.

Pussadee, meanwhile, said she did not know the reason behind the Democrat announcement, adding that problems could have been solved if the party had sent queries to the BMA.

Asked if the announcement will have an impact on her political future, she said she had been given a chance to work in the position, and will continue doing her best.

Juti had said that it would be Sukhumbhand and his team’s decision as to whether they want to remain part of the party after the severing of ties was announced.

Commenting on claims that if her team chose to take sides with Sukhumbhand, the party may not field them in the next election, Pussadee – also a former Democrat MP – said it was up to the party.

Meanwhile, Sukhumbhand’s spokesman Wasant Meewongse said he believed the rift will be settled soon as it was all in the family.

Amorn told reporters that he had already verbally resigned from the party and was waiting for confirmation, as the party cannot convene due to the junta’s ban on political activities.

Before running for his second gubernatorial term in February 2013, Sukhumbhand said he loved theDemocrat Party as he had worked with it all his life.

“If I leave the party, it will mean I quit politics. Then I will stay with my grandchildren. Don’t look down on me, I am a Democrat,” he said in order to counter rumours that he might contest either as an independent candidate or under the banner of other parties.

Before joining the gubernatorial contest, Sukhumband was a rising star of the party as he was elected Bangkok MP twice and joined the Democrat-led government as deputy foreign minister between 1997-2000.

His victory for two consecutive terms as governor reflected the Democrat Party’s popularity among Bangkokians, though some claimed that he won only because he was a Democrat.

However, many critics wondered if Bangkok would remain a Democrat stronghold now that it had disowned its rising star.

This surprising announcement reflects unsettled rifts within the party, which may make voters change their mind in the Bangkok elections next year. The votes may also weigh allegations of corruption under Sukhumbhand’s administration that were raised publicly by some Democrats.

This rift could also give arch-rival Pheu Thai Party an opportunity to enter the fray after its candidate Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen lost to Sukhumband in 2013.

With about a year left before the next gubernatorial elections, the Democrat Party will have to work hard to ensure the capital is still its stronghold.