Even though caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is showing no signs of dismay in the face of the Bangkok "shutdown" campaign, her fresh attempt to engage all major players in talks to discuss the postponement of the Feb 2 general election suggests the government does not want to play the bully. According to Suranand Vejjajiva, secretary-general to the prime minister, Ms Yingluck plans to invite those for and against the Feb 2 election to discuss on Wednesday the EC's recommendation to defer the polls. Her invitation was also issued to the Constitution Court, the Administrative Court, the Office of the Auditor-General and the Office of the Attorney-General. especially in the northern and northeastern provinces, to mobilise at least 5,000 people per constituency to join a rally to counter the shutdown and support elections. The Pheu Thai Party had a plan to counter the People's Democratic Reform Committee's (PDRC) city shutdown. It instructed its election candidates in all constituencies, especially in the northern and northeastern provinces, to mobilise at least 5,000 people per constituency to join a rally to counter the shutdown and support elections. The Pheu Thai leaders hoped the counter-campaign would represent "those who think and want differently" to the PDRC supporters. The pro-election rally in front of the Ubon Ratchathani provincial hall yesterday was close to a flop. The crowd dispersed quickly and only a few election candidates appeared on stage. Several provinces in the Northeast, which red-shirt leaders regard as their strongholds, organised just a few or zero activities to promote the Feb 2 election. Those which did performed badly. Khon Kaen saw only 5,000 people despite the fact the party won 10 seats there in the previous election. Chiang Mai, the hometown of Ms Yingluck and the stronghold of Pheu Thai, did not perform any better.