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KMT rebuts reports farmers' group will form political party

The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday rebutted reports that the Farmers' Association of Taiwan has plans to form a political party and rejected allegations that the KMT ignores the agricultural industry and farmers' rights.

Saying that the KMT has ignored farmers' rights too long and treated farmers like election brokers, Farmer's Association director Chang Yong-cheng (張永成) and KMT Legislator Pai Tien-chih (白添枝) plan to found a party next month, a report in the Chinese-language China Times said yesterday.

Pai, former general director of the association, yesterday denied playing a role in the association's plans, but acknowledged that the association was upset at the KMT for failing to pass bills that would benefit farmers and the industry.

"I will not leave the KMT ... I also ask the association not to proceed with the plan, as the KMT really needs to be united," Pai said yesterday in the Legislative Yuan.

With more than 1 million members, the association has been an important election broker for the pan-blue camp.

Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄), the party chairman, yesterday said he that he would look into the situation before taking any action, adding that the KMT did not ignore farmers and the agriculture sector.

"There's no such thing. It's not true," he said yesterday before holding a meeting with directors of KMT branches.

Discussing the issue during the meeting, some KMT branch directors said the association had repeatedly threatened to leave the KMT and form a party before elections.

Members in the meeting said it was unlikely that the association would really form the party, adding that there was little room for another party in Taiwanese politics.

Wu said the party would not ignore the issue and would continue to communicate with the association.
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