WP expects more 3-cornered fights this election, says Pritam Singh

The Republic can expect more three-cornered fights in the coming election as the WP has no interest in making way for other parties, said WP chief Pritam Singh.

- Ang Qing Correspondent Aqil Hamzah and Nadine Chua

Asked about other opposition parties indicating interest in constituencies where the WP has been seen walking the ground, he said the WP does not attend talks organised to avoid multi-cornered battles. "It's an open system, and you can certainly expect there to be more three-cornered fights from here on," he said.

He was speaking at a press conference at the WP's Geylang headquarters on April 19 to unveil the party's third batch of new candidates for the upcoming election.

Apart from Sengkang GRC, Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC, the WP has yet to make known where else it intends to run, although potential candidates have been spotted around PAP-held constituencies such as Tampines and East Coast.

Asked how confident the WP was in retaining Sengkang, its newest constituency and only the second GRC secured by the opposition, Mr Singh highlighted the narrow margin of its 2020 victory over the PAP.

In a major upset then, the WP team secured 52.12 per cent of the vote there, besting a team led by former minister Ng Chee Meng, who on April 19 confirmed that he will contest in Jalan Kayu SMC this round.

"It will be a very difficult fight," said Mr Singh.

"So my message to the residents in Sengkang: The more balanced political system that will be good for Singapore and Singaporeans starts with you and your vote."