TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The city of Taipei was abuzz with political rhetoric on Thursday (Nov. 16) as Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je criticized Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te over his family home's unlawful construction.
Ko questioned why the illegal buildings of his mother and former legislator Huang Kuo-chang were demolished, but Lai's was not.
The contention follows the formation of the TPP-KMT alliance the previous day, an agreement that Lai has publicly criticized as a barefaced partition of power.
The DPP candidate stated that the alliance does not represent Taiwan's mainstream public opinion. Lai also accused the candidates of failing to protect national security or propose complete national blueprints.
Ko fired back, alleging that the DPP has no basis for their election strategy other than rallying the Chinese Communist Party. Ko's words represent an ongoing dispute between the two parties, both vying for control of Taiwan's political future.
When responding to Lai's criticisms, Ko confessed that they cannot guarantee they are the best choice for Taiwan but questioned why Lai sees himself as the better option.
This war of words continues as the election approaches, increasing strain on Taiwan's domestic politics.