Legislative Council president Tsang Yok-sing is unlikely to enter the chief executive race as there is too little time for him to come up with a feasible platform, a Beijing loyalist says.
Federation of Trade Unions president Cheng Yiu-tong said despite Tsang's capability and experience, it was unrealistic for him to engage with various sectors of the community and members of the Election Committee before the nomination period closes on February 29.
His comments came just before Tsang said he would make a final decision next week.
'Tsang has yet to come up with an election platform. It takes time for a candidate to explain his vision for governing Hong Kong and discuss it with Election Committee members,' Cheng said yesterday.
'Operationally, it's impossible for Tsang to do so in such a short period. I don't take his intention to run seriously,' said Cheng, who is also an executive councillor.
Tsang, founding chairman of what was the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong, said on Friday he was seriously considering running after a 'dramatic turn' in the race, obviously referring to the escalating scandal of Henry Tang Ying-yen's illegal additions to one of his homes.
But Cheng said it was impractical for Tsang, who ruled himself out of the running last year, to make a U-turn at such a late stage.