Hougang was then the only stronghold of the WP. It was like a tiger’s den and any PAP candidate going there would be devoured, meal for the tiger. PAP candidates treaded Hougang in fear. Many had fallen and many more will fall again.
Aljunied GRC has taken over this role as the most formidable opposition stronghold and a bigger one. In the past, there were sneering calls for Low Thia Khiang to step out of Hougang to challenge the PAP. Some even suggested taking on a biggie or lead a team to take on the PM. Today, the ground has changed. Some quarters are throwing the same kind of challenge to the PAP to send a strong team to Aljunied to face defeat. It is a dare from the supporters of WP, with so much confidence that they had for Hougang and now for Aljunied. Aljunied is the GRC to take but many will fall like the retaking of Hougang.
It would be something if Low Thia Khiang would to throw a challenge to the PAP in the next GE to send a strong team to Aljunied. And he could peppered it with comments like no fight, very disappointing, and looking for a good fight if the PAP team is weak and eventually lost Aljunied again.
Such thoughts would never be in the minds of anyone. Every GRC or SMC would be an uphill struggle and likely to lose except for Hougang and at one time Potong Pasir. Now there is Aljunied, a 5 seat GRC for the opposition side to make their war cry.
And this is very intimidating and it is unlikely to see anyone from the PAP bravely standing up to volunteer for this great opportunity. Those who have said they needed a good fight, this is the time to prove what they said, to take up the cudgel in Aljunied. The days of Goh Keng Swee, Rajaratnam, Lim Kim San, Hon Sui Sen, Barker, Ong Pang Boon, Ong Teng Cheong when they would just carry a GRC wherever you put them were long over. There is no more such heavyweights to depend on today.
Chua Chin Leng AKA RedBean
*The writer blogs at http://mysingaporenews.blogspot.com/