Well it certainly was a surprise to me. And that was not the only surprise! I was also surprised by the amount of votes that Chen got or Low received. I understand that the majority of cadres were stunned when someone nominated Chen for SG. Any way Low got approximately 45% for those who are entitled to votes which is about 130 cadres. Approximately 24 either abstained or did not turn up or too shocked. Chen got about 35% of the eligible votes. Does not surround encouraging.
My understand is that Sylvia, Pritam and Faisal did well in the polls but not Chen. Interesting that Pritam got the highest votes to enter CEC followed by Chen.
It does say that WP is more a democratic party than the PAP. The votes received by the top twelve in the PAP are not even revealed to the 6,000cadres. It also known that the top twelve are spelled out as the desired choice and sent out to super cadres who then use the cell formation to influence those "subordinate" cadres below them.
Same here bro, caught by surprise. My thoughts:
1. All parties whether PAP or opposition go through same issue. But I always assume WP will be different under LTK. It is not different afterall. Remember LTK and JBJ have a difference too and tussle and JBJ was hoisted out. So my original thought is correct - all parties will have tussles no matter what.
2. Coming from CSM is a big surprise. To get 45 votes simply means he has been working in the background for a while to gather his base. Also announced is LTK getting near 30 new cadres, I supposed it now means he must have got hold of the news that a challenge is forthcoming and it is likely this new group of cadres save his skin.
3. CSM showed his hand unfortunately and it was not wise at all. He is likely not to last long in WP. All leadership tussles can have only 1 winner and the rest with their supporters got to leave eventually. The stakes are too high for both sides to exist together. Unless the party itself has tremendous base like in other countries or a culture of democracy, then both factions will stay to fight another day. The cadre system here is to encourage stability in leadership and not for democracy.
3. Democracy in party does not lead to a stable system and is not necessary good. Look at Chiam and PAP etc. When you have a bunch of goons to join your system or masses infiltrated with different ideology, then you find problems eventually.
4. What makes CSM to show his hand? I guess he must have some level of confidence to attempt or he must have figured out he goes all out to fight to cause a dent to LTK's reputation rather finally getting ousted which might be the next step.
5. It is no rocket science that anyone or most folks associated with CSM will not likely be in CEC. Notice He Ting Rui is not in CEC either not in the list for election or just not voted into the CEC? We have no clue who are those standing for election.
6. There will always be a group that are "neutral" which mean they are allied to both factions. Again, Pritam and Faisal fall into this category. Sylvia is in LTK's faction. LTK and Sylvia are the duo in charge for quite some time.
7. What is remarkable how quiet WP has been and only for us to be shocked over a fight on LTK's position. As of now, I can only say LTK is widely seen as the capable leader well supported by masses and it is not wise to remove him. The fact that a significant number of cadres support CSM show that all is not well in the party and they are willing to go against this known view.