Local Candidate Challenges KMT Chairwoman Over Party Official's Role in Chiayi

Tensions surfaced at a Kuomintang (KMT) rally in Chiayi County when a local candidate directly challenged party chairwoman Cheng Li-wen regarding the role of a high-profile party official. Wu Jin-hui, a candidate for local representative in Zhuqi Township, publicly called on Cheng to address Wang Yu-min's actions and accountability concerning Chiayi.

Wu Jin-hui, who has previously run for local office under the KMT banner and as an independent, expressed strong dissatisfaction with Wang Yu-min's recent resignation as the head of the KMT's Chiayi County branch. He accused Wang of lacking responsibility and being a detrimental presence within the party, stating that such individuals hinder the KMT's ability to regain power. Wu insisted that the party chair should listen to grassroots concerns.

Wang Yu-min, a long-serving KMT figure, recently resigned from her position as the KMT Chiayi County chair. Her departure, reportedly to serve as the executive director for Michael Tsai's mayoral campaign in Taichung, came as a shock to the local KMT base just months before local elections. Wang had previously served as a deputy mayor of Taichung and was elected to the Legislative Yuan in 2024.

While Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen posed for photos with supporters at the rally, she did not directly respond to Wu Jin-hui's public appeal. The incident highlights internal friction within the KMT as the party mobilishes for upcoming elections, with local candidates voicing frustrations over party leadership and candidate selection.