Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers yesterday painted the defection of a People First Party (PFP) lawmaker to the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) as part of a KMT plot to "annihilate" PFP Chairman James Soong (
"The KMT's short-term goal of luring the old guard back to the fold aims to disrupt the second meeting between Soong and President Chen Shui-bian (
The lawmaker was referring to PFP Legislator Chou Hsi-wei's (
While the KMT reportedly promised Chou that he could run with dual party membership, the PFP stripped him of party privileges and duties on Wednesday.
Speaking on the DPP claim, PFP Legislator Chang Hsien-yao (張顯耀), the head of the party's policy research department, told reporters he would look into whether the KMT in fact had such intentions.
"I appreciate the DPP's warning and we hope what they say is not true," Chang said. "However, if it is, this will be a very serious matter."
Chang called on the KMT not to involve itself in any scheme that would wipe out another party.
He also dismissed media reports claiming that the PFP headquarters has launched an investigation into Chou's case and whether he was "tricked" into returning to the KMT.
"We will never do such a thing," he said. "But as a responsible party, we will certainly attempt to understand what is going on. As his friend and colleague, I am also very curious about why he made this decision."
Chang said that it would have been much better if the KMT had informed his party of the matter in advance. Chang also dismissed speculation that at least two more PFP lawmakers will follow in Chou's footsteps.
"The party has faith in the loyalty of every single member," Chang said. "All of them are 100 percent orange, inside and out."
Orange is the color that the PFP uses on its logo and flag, while the KMT uses blue. Speculation is rife that PFP legislators Diane Lee (
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