"Wang was seen as a rival of Bo, to avoid further upsetting pro-Mao factions in the party, government and military. 'Wang Yang was ousted to avoid Bo supporters creating trouble,' one of the two sources said.
"Li Yuanchao, 62, was selected in the initial polls in May but party elders forced another vote just weeks [in late October] before the congress to replace him, the sources said. * * * The sources said Li was dumped because he alienated some elders by promoting too many of outgoing President Hu Jintao's allies in his capacity as head of the party's personnel department and by ignoring recommendations by retirees keen to elevate their own men.
"There was broad consensus on Xi taking over from Hu as party and military chief in the once-in-a-decade generational leadership change.