A Taipei election spat is heating up as the Taiwan People's Party pushes back against a KMT rival's attack on former chairman Ko Wen-je — bad news for the KMT's hope of keeping small parties quiet in the year-end race.

• KMT councillor Chung Hsiao-ping called Ko Wen-je a "scary lover," and TPP council candidate Wu Yi-hsuan fired back asking whether he can't survive without Ko.
• Wu accused Chung of riding Ko's name for votes in the past and spreading false claims about huge money transfers, then apologising to Ko in court.
• The TPP is running Taipei council candidates without backing from Mayor Chiang Wan-an, who is not campaigning for them individually.
• Wu brushed the snub off, saying Ko and current chairman Huang Kuo-chang are enough support and the candidates will rely on themselves.

Outlook: Expect more open friction between the KMT and the TPP in Taipei as the year-end local elections approach, with cooperation between the two looking shakier.