Posted by admin on April 9,
2011
The National Solidarity Party (NSP) is rumoured to be contesting
Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in the
upcoming General Election, according to sources. Marine Parade GRC
was not on the original slate of constituencies which the party had
indicated interest in.
These were Tampines GRC, Jurong GRC, Moulmein-Kallang GRC, and
the Single-member Constituencies of Pioneer, Radin Mas, Whampoa,
and Mountbatten.
The reason for the NSP’s interest in Marine Parade GRC is
unclear but speculation is that the party wants to prevent the two
new People’s Action Party (PAP) candidates – Ms Tin Pei Ling and BG
Tan Chuan Jin – having a walkover in the GRC. No opposition party
has shown interest in contesting the GRC until now. Ms Tin has been
the subject of much unhappiness, especially among online
commentators, who see her as unsuitable to be a Member of
Parliament.
The GRC is helmed by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong whose prank
about Ms Tin on the MParader Facebook page had also drawn flak. SM
Goh had, following the criticism of Ms Tin by the public, posted
that she had to see a “trauma specialist” because of it.
Subsequently, he clarified that it was a joke.
The NSP team speculated to contest Marine Parade GRC will be led
by the party secretary-general Goh Meng Seng and will include two
of its most prominent new members, Ms Hazel Poa and Mr Tony Tan,
who worked in the Defence Ministry previously.
Ms Poa and Mr Tan were introduced at a press conference in
February as candidates in the Moulmein-Kallang GRC. However, it is
now unlikely that the NSP will contest the GRC and is expected to
defer to the Workers’ Party, which is also interested in contesting
there.
Mr Goh himself was expected to contest Tampines GRC originally.
It is unclear why he is leading the Marine Parade team now, if the
rumours are true.
The party is conducting a walkabout in Marine Parade GRC on
Sunday.
When asked about the speculations, Mr Goh declined to
comment.
- TOC
