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Coffeeshop Chit Chat - Oppo start getting ready to do battle </TD><TD id=msgunetc noWrap align=right>
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</NOBR> </TD><TD class=msgDate noWrap align=right width="30%">Mar-13 11:45 pm </TD></TR><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgT noWrap align=right width="1%" height=20>To: </TD><TD class=msgTname noWrap width="68%">ALL <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=msgNum noWrap align=right> (1 of 4) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgleft width="1%" rowSpan=4> </TD><TD class=wintiny noWrap align=right>9113.1 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgtxt><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Opposition parties start getting ready to do battle
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->THEY have been spotted in nearly all parts of Singapore - in the east, north, south and central areas.
They have also been quietly recruiting more members to their ranks.
As speculation mounts over the prospect of an early election, opposition parties are starting to organise their members, draw up battle plans, and stake claims to electoral turf.
The Workers' Party (WP), seen as the most credible opposition party in the 2006 election, is expanding its reach and working the ground in preparation for the next polls.
But WP chief Low Thia Khiang is keeping his cards close to his chest. All he will say is: 'We are everywhere. Our party goes around Singapore. This proves that we are here to stay. We are not sleeping.'
Meanwhile, other opposition parties, such as Mr Chiam See Tong's Singapore Democratic Alliance umbrella party, the National Solidarity Party (NSP) and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), are also making their moves.
Mr Chiam is keen to step out of Potong Pasir after 25 years as MP there. As a last hurrah of sorts, the 74-year-old wants to lead a team to contest in a group representation constituency (GRC), most likely Bishan-Toa Payoh.
Likewise, NSP wants to flex its muscle beyond the two GRCs it contested in in 2006. Beyond Tampines GRC and Jalan Besar GRC, it wants to go west, to Hong Kah GRC or Jurong GRC.
As for the SDP, party leaders Chee Soon Juan, his sister Siok Chin and president Ghandi Ambalam may be bankrupt and barred from contesting in the next election, but observers say it would be foolish to rule the party out.
It can still cobble a team to contest in a GRC. One which it is said to be eyeing: Bishan-Toa Payoh, helmed by Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng.
Amid the inter-party turf negotiations, there are wildcards who may yet spring surprises.
Mr Tan Kin Lian, former chief executive officer of NTUC Income, has declared his intention to run for public office and sources say he is keen to make an impact in the next election.
But if he does, will he do so as part of the opposition camp, or stand as an independent? Will he force a three-cornered fight?
Is Workers' Party still the party to watch in the next election? Where will they contest?
And who will replace Mr Chiam in his beloved Potong Pasir? Insight surveys the tactics, targets and people in the opposition camp.
[email protected]
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->THEY have been spotted in nearly all parts of Singapore - in the east, north, south and central areas.
They have also been quietly recruiting more members to their ranks.
As speculation mounts over the prospect of an early election, opposition parties are starting to organise their members, draw up battle plans, and stake claims to electoral turf.
The Workers' Party (WP), seen as the most credible opposition party in the 2006 election, is expanding its reach and working the ground in preparation for the next polls.
But WP chief Low Thia Khiang is keeping his cards close to his chest. All he will say is: 'We are everywhere. Our party goes around Singapore. This proves that we are here to stay. We are not sleeping.'
Meanwhile, other opposition parties, such as Mr Chiam See Tong's Singapore Democratic Alliance umbrella party, the National Solidarity Party (NSP) and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), are also making their moves.
Mr Chiam is keen to step out of Potong Pasir after 25 years as MP there. As a last hurrah of sorts, the 74-year-old wants to lead a team to contest in a group representation constituency (GRC), most likely Bishan-Toa Payoh.
Likewise, NSP wants to flex its muscle beyond the two GRCs it contested in in 2006. Beyond Tampines GRC and Jalan Besar GRC, it wants to go west, to Hong Kah GRC or Jurong GRC.
As for the SDP, party leaders Chee Soon Juan, his sister Siok Chin and president Ghandi Ambalam may be bankrupt and barred from contesting in the next election, but observers say it would be foolish to rule the party out.
It can still cobble a team to contest in a GRC. One which it is said to be eyeing: Bishan-Toa Payoh, helmed by Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng.
Amid the inter-party turf negotiations, there are wildcards who may yet spring surprises.
Mr Tan Kin Lian, former chief executive officer of NTUC Income, has declared his intention to run for public office and sources say he is keen to make an impact in the next election.
But if he does, will he do so as part of the opposition camp, or stand as an independent? Will he force a three-cornered fight?
Is Workers' Party still the party to watch in the next election? Where will they contest?
And who will replace Mr Chiam in his beloved Potong Pasir? Insight surveys the tactics, targets and people in the opposition camp.
[email protected]
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:oIo: 
