Opposition leader Sam Rainsy denied Wednesday that he had plans to meet Prince Norodom Ranariddh to discuss the CNRP joining with Funcinpec against the CPP ahead of the 2018 national election.
A Radio Free Asia report this week said the pair would meet this month to discuss joining forces.
In a Facebook post, Mr. Rainsy, who represented the prince in Europe in the 1980s but has long since fallen out with him, said no such plans exist.
“CNRP leaders have no plan and no intention to meet with any FUNCINPEC leader. CNRP is the only hope for the Khmer nation and will not be distracted by any useless consideration,” Mr. Rainsy wrote.
Reached by telephone in Europe, Mr. Rainsy’s wife, CNRP lawmaker Tioulong Saumura, said her husband had nothing to add.
Mr. Rainsy briefly served as finance minister for the prince in 1993 and 1994 before he was kicked out of parliament.
After starting his own party, Mr. Rainsy formed alliances with the prince against the CPP in the 1998 and 2003 elections, but the prince eventually joined the CPP in government both times.
