27 July 2010: Pitted against each other in the election fray, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and the National United Party (NUP) have started taking on each other in their election campaign from July for the forthcoming 2010 general election in Kalemyo, Sagaing division in Burma.

In a no holds barred campaign they are going for each other’s jugular.

“USDP and NUP members had come to our village Chaung guah to campaign but they launched into a verbal attack against each other this month,” said Pu Suilian of Chaung guah village.

The USDP blamed NUP for once working with the Burma Socialist Program Party (BSPP) in destroying the country earlier, while NUP accused USDP for working in cahoots with the military junta. The NUP leaders said if a person wants to do away with the military government he should vote for the National United Party.

“The USDP and NUP are busy fighting each other, but they never talk about their policies and manifesto. They are just abusing each other in their campaign,” said Pu Pakam in Letpanchaung village, Kalemyo.

The local people are aware that the military junta will support the USDP to win the election by every conceivable method. If USDP cannot win the election the junta will never hand over power to any other party.

Leaders of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) in Falam Township are automatically members of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) as they hold USDA cards. They have to vote for the party.

The National United Party was formed by former dictator General Ne Win from his Burma Socialist Program Party (BSPP). The NUP contested the 1990 general election led by his trusted General Htun Ye. It bagged only 10 seats.

Similarly, the second and current dictator Senior General Than Shwe also changed the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) into a political party called the USDP to contest the 2010 general election led by former Prime Minister Thein Sein.