Growing TSU moves to hold national congress

With its ranks growing, the TSU yesterday moved to form party chapters and to hold an annual national congress.

The TSU currently has about 5,000 permanent members nation-wide and is ready to establish the mechanism of a national congress comprising about 350 representatives who would be mandated on behalf of all party members to execute party affairs.

Meanwhile, the party also amended an internal rule yesterday on the disciplinary function of the its highest decision-making body, the Central Executive Committee.

Under the revisions, if a member is not satisfied with the committee's disciplinary ruling, they could appeal to the party's internal monitoring body, which could veto the committee's decision.

The amendment came as a result of a recent internal squabble in which Legislator Su Yin-kuei (蘇盈貴) accused colleague Lo Chih-ming (羅志明) of illegal lobbying for video arcade owners in Kaohsiung.

The party expelled Su on Monday for allegedly making false accusations against a party member and harming the party's image and solidarity.

TSU Chairman Huang Chu-wen (黃主文) reassured the public yesterday that the TSU represents solidarity.

"The Su-Lo incident did not affect the party's determination to live up to its ideals and spirit. Our solidarity won't be complete without holding on to our ideals," Huang said.

However, Huang yesterday also expressed his regret for the first time over Su's expulsion, saying he felt sorry for the loss of a talented member.

"I have tried to contact Su in the past few days, but he was always not available. I will try to speak to him in the next few days," Huang said.

The feud also prompted the young and growing party to postpone its second anniversary celebration originally set for tomorrow.

The party member assembly yesterday decided to reschedule the anniversary celebration to Sept. 6 to coincide with a massive campaign calling for rectification of the name of Taiwan.