The New Party, while wary of sinking the loose alliance of opposition parties, dismissed yesterday as evasive the People First Party's claim that it has no intention of stealing members from the tiny party for the December legislative elections.
On Sunday, PFP Chairman James Soong denied news reports that he had sought to recruit New Party members to contest legislative seats under his party's banner. But he added that "talented people belong to the country, not to any single political party."
"That is slippery language," said New Party leader and lawmaker Hsieh Chi-ta (謝啟大), pressing Soong to make clear his intentions.
Hsieh said that Soong had met with her fellow Taipei City Councilor Wei Yi-lung (魏憶龍) for an hour earlier in the day, asking Wei to join the PFP. She suspected, she said, that Soong had contacted many others and she asked, "Does he mean to undermine the New Party or what?" The New Party, composed mostly of ethnic mainlanders, rallied behind Soong during the 2000 presidential campaign, as its own candidate stood no chance of victory.
Soong said he was indebted to the New Party for its support. He founded the PFP weeks after losing his presidential bid.
The PFP chairman maintained that he would not engage in any move to harm the New Party but added that his party needed urgently to expand its clout in the legislature.
"With only 19 legislative seats, the PFP cannot act as a strong opposition party," he said.
After Soong formed his own party, many predicted the demise of the New Party, as the two parties appeal to the same group of voters.
Feuding erupted last week after New Party lawmaker Feng Ting-kuo (馮定國) called a news conference to announce his decision to defect to the PFP. Feng openly admitted that his defection was prompted by fears that the pro-unification party might be utterly defeated in the year-end elections.
The confession enraged his former colleagues, many of whom have blasted him as an "unscrupulous opportunist."
Hsieh, who recently took over the New Party leadership, urged the PFP to reject Feng in line with what she said was a tacit agreement between her and Soong.
Soong denied ever striking any accord with Hsieh or other New Party members, adding that he would personally explain the matter to New Party leaders, if necessary.
But, he insisted, "It might not be a bad idea to allow talented people opportunities to serve the country."
The PFP legislative caucus is expected to admit Feng into its fold today. PFP lawmaker Chou His-wei (周錫偉) said there was no reason for the caucus not to embrace Feng, whom he lauded as an extremely hardworking colleague.
Feng is seeking re-election from Taichung County, a PFP stronghold.
In a bid to appear unharmed, the New Party nominated three legislative candidates for the southern district of Taipei City, one of the most hotly contested seats.
Hsieh said she believed there was always room for professionalism and uprightness, qualities that distinguished her party's slate from that of rival camps.
The nominated trio are incumbent legislators Lai Shyh-bao (
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