Grassroots levels of the Cambodia National Love Party appealed to members and supporters to continue the party and its mission despite the resignation of top leaders over a turbulent several days.
The party’s future came into question last week when president Chiv Cata posted on Facebook that he was dissolving the party. He later issued a resignation, and vice president Kheuy Sinoeurn told VOD on Monday that he too was resigning, alongside another vice president, Kong Kimhak, and senior leaders Sok Vibol and An Sopheara.
But some officials disputed the party’s dissolution, and provincial arms of the party have now posted on Facebook making appeals to continue and that no single individual can dissolve or eliminate the party under internal rules.
The Battambang provincial youth wing of the Love Party posted last night that the party had worked together for the nation under both sun and rain to bring democracy and freedom.
“Even though Mr. President and Vice President left, we will always all still love and respect Mr. President and Vice President,” it said. “What we have learned and known about the social issue is from all of you.”
The Love Party in Phnom Penh earlier posted that the party was still legitimate. “Nothing has changed or damaged our party’s structure.”
It shared another post on Tuesday: “We continue and won’t run away from each other at this time when [we] are facing difficulties. Please brothers join together again to continue to restore our nation.”
The post added: “Siev Visoth is the best leader for all of us in the future.”
Visoth, the party’s treasurer, told VOD last week that he believed the party’s dissolution was faked.
Five commune councilors were elected for the party in the June 5 election, and told reporters earlier this week that they were surprised and disappointed by the departure of senior leaders.
