Rift in Hong Kong’s political opposition grows as camp fails to agree on backup candidate
Scholars and insiders warn infighting will wreak havoc on chances of victory in March 11 poll.
The rift tearing apart Hong Kong’s political opposition deepened on Tuesday as the camp failed to agree on a backup candidate to run in the coming by-election in case their top choice is disqualified.
Scholars and insiders warned that the ongoing infighting between localists and traditional pan-democrats would dampen the bloc’s ability to score a victory in polls to be held on March 11.
A dispute erupted between veteran politician Frederick Fung Kin-kee and localist Eddie Chu Hoi-dick after the former dropped a bombshell by revealing his withdrawal from the race had been prompted by pressure from the localists.
“Someone from the progressive democracy bloc told me that if I ran in the poll, they would definitely send someone as well [to challenge me],” Fung said. “I hope my withdrawal will allow the hatred to dissipate.”
I hope my withdrawal will allow the hatred to dissipate
The discord was triggered by doubts about the eligibility of primary winner Edward Yiu Chung-yim – the camp’s favoured candidate – to contest the election for the Kowloon West constituency. Yiu was among six pan-democrats ousted from the city’s legislature last year over improper oaths of office, and there has been concern that his comeback bid could be blocked by the government.