Former president and KMT chairman Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) should voluntarily quit the party, KMT lawmaker Hung Hsing-rong (洪性榮) said yesterday.
The legislator urged Lee yesterday to renounce his membership in the party so he can concentrate on campaigning for legislative candidates for the newly formed Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU).
The suggestion marks a dramatic turnabout on Hung's part, as the legislator had earlier staunchly defended Lee when the KMT old-guard pressed for Lee's expulsion.
"Since Lee is committed to helping the TSU, he may as well take the initiative and terminate his KMT membership," said Hung, widely considered a Lee loyalist within the former ruling party.
Hung claimed that a desire to put an end to the ongoing spat between the TSU and the KMT over Lee's intentions prodded him to make the suggestion.
Last week Legislative speaker and KMT Vice Chairman Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) told the press Lee would not rule out the possibility of campaigning for KMT legislative candidates in the December polls.
The remarks drew vehement criticism from TSU members, who insisted Lee would only stump for TSU flag-bearers and accused Wang of lying in a bid to take advantage of Lee's prestige.
"It is both desirable and responsible for political parties to have distinct ideals. Lee's continued stay with the KMT will blur these distinctions," Hung said, adding that the feeling of confusion has also troubled the DPP.
The TSU has said its lawmakers will back the DPP in the legislature in the hopes of bringing stability to the unruly lawmaking body.
The DPP, though grateful for the promised support, has expressed worries that some of its legislative contenders may lose to their TSU counterparts.
"All political groups keep certain disciplinary rules which they expect their members to follow. Those who prefer to have their own way should choose to quit," the lawmaker said, advising Lee to part from the KMT in a dignified manner.
The remarks have raised many eyebrows, as Hung had spoken out on Lee's behalf only two weeks ago when KMT conservative Konsin Shah (
Hung yesterday said he was still opposed to the idea of throwing Lee out against his will. The lawmaker also proposed that the party reimburse Lee his NT$10,000 membership fee if he steps down.
Lee Ching-yih (
She said the former president is not in the least perturbed by any of the charges leveled against him and he has no intention of responding.
Top KMT officials, as before, have remained mum over what they will do about Lee.
KMT spokesman Wang Chih-kang (王志剛) said it was up to the party's disciplinary committee to decide whether Lee had betrayed the KMT and to mete out a punishment according to regular procedures.
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