Concerns about an internal split caused by resentments from the older generation marred the national congress of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday after former KMT chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) hinted at conflicts within while campaigning for the party’s presidential and vice presidential nominees.
Speaking at the congress, held to consolidate support for President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and vice presidential nominee Premier Wu Den-yih (吳敦義), Wu Poh-hsiung indicated that the party had failed over the years to meet the expectations of many of its members.
“Maybe our expectations were too high because we love the party, but there have been people and things that we are not too happy with. However, we should put those feelings behind us for the sake of the nation,” he said.
Without going into further detail, Wu Poh-hsiung called for party unity as the presidential election approaches.
“The KMT is a party with loyalty and affection ... History has shown that a united KMT always wins [elections], and we lose whenever there’s a split. Let’s come together and strive for victory in the presidential race, not for Ma Ying-jeou, but for the KMT and the nation,” he said.
While lauding the integrity and capabilities of the candidates in his speech, the former chairman kept a straight face when Ma thanked him for his contribution to the KMT.
“I am grateful for chairman Wu’s dedication in leading the party to victory three years ago and helping me land this job. I don’t want to get a new job next year, and your help in the election campaign would be very important for us,” Ma told Wu Poh-hsiung in his speech.
KMT spokesperson Lai Su-ju (賴素如) denied the former chairman was not satisfied with Ma’s handling of party affairs. However, a KMT legislator said anonymously that recent incidents, including the nomination of Wu Den-yih as the vice presidential candidate and Ma’s urging retired generals to refrain from visiting China, could worsen Ma’s already problematic relations with party heavyweights from the older generation.
At the event, Ma praised Vice President Vincent Siew (蕭萬長), who announced in May that he would not seek re-election, for his crucial role in formulating the government’s economic policies. Ma said Siew would play an important role in his election campaign.
Wu Den-yih kept a relatively low profile yesterday, refraining from giving a speech.
Ma also took the occasion to show his support to -Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), whose relationship with Ma became problematic during the campaign for KMT chairman. Ma promised to give Wang his full support in continuing to lead the legislature.
The nomination of legislative candidates sparked concerns at the event, as the KMT still needs to finalize its nominees in four electoral districts in Taoyuan County, Greater Tainan City and Chiayi County.
Greater Kaohsiung legislative nominee Chiu Yu-hsuan (邱于軒) challenged the party over its failure to allocate enough campaign resources to local candidates, urging the party to devote more efforts to campaigning in southern Taiwan.
KMT Secretary-General Liao Liou-yi (廖了以) said the party would distribute campaign resources fairly and strengthen its campaign efforts as the elections approach.
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