If I were the PAP…
If I were the PAP, I would have cut out a number of SMCs from the GRCs where PAP support is highest. I am listening to the people; it’s not my fault if the opposition sucks and cannot capture those SMCs (which I made for them). Plus point: I can safely send the lightweights there and prove they have mandate. The SMCs act as a trap/lure for the opposition, who would send their candidates there and continue to fail. I predict Potong Pasir will fall to me eventually, because Chiam’s percentage has been falling steadily (loss of older generation), so I must keep Sitoh there — too risky to change him now. There is little chance of winning Hougang, so I will put cannon fodder there.
Unfortunately, the WP countered this strategy by sending their lightweights to the SMCs, and all their heavyweights to one GRC, and publicly proclaiming that those heavyweights will not take up NMP if they lose. They are gambling on the sentiment that people do not want to see zero opposition in the Parliment. But while it’s risky, they are unlikely to win. And this is a conundrum on my side too. If I win every seat, it’s also bad for me…this is really a lose-lose situation for me. (NB Chiam will never win at Bishan-Toa Payoh.)
How?
If I WERE the PAP, I would sacrifice George Yeo and Zainul Abidin Rasheed, and provide an outlet for the huge discontent now (we can ‘fix’ this later). But PAP is not me, and from all outward appearances, they wanted to keep Aljunied and just bring some NMPs on board. It’s a moot question now.
WP won Aljunied anyway.
