Eleven of a group of 12 lawmakers kicked out of the Liberal Democratic Party last year for opposing postal privatization submitted a petition and special covenant Monday and are likely to be readmitted to the ruling party.
Takeo Hiranuma, however, refused to sign the covenant, which included a vow to follow the LDP's campaign pledges -- specifically postal privatization. His readmission is expected to be rejected.
The covenant assures the LDP leadership that the exiled lawmakers will adhere to all conditions set out for their return. It also states that they will engage in serious soul-searching for the hostile activities they conducted against LDP candidates in the 2005 general election.