Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Former Industry 1 Minister Aung Thaung and former Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Minister Thein Zaw are likely to become top leaders in the Union Solidarity and Development Party following a reshuffle of positions in the state-backed party, according to party sources.
Most of the top USDP leaders including President Thein Sein were appointed to Cabinet positions in the new government. The vacancies will be filled in late April, sources said.
Aung Thaung, a well known close confidant of former Senior General Than Shwe, stood for election in the Taungtha Township constituency in Mandalay Division and now serves as a member of Parliament.
Thein Zaw stood for election in a Myitkyina constituency in Kachin State and now serves as an MP.
Htay Oo, the USDP general secretary, will provide leadership and work on attracting new members across the country during April, party sources said.
Former USDP party chairman Thein Sein was elected President of Burma; Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, a USDP patron member, was elected vice president; and Tin Aye, a USDP patron, was appointed chairman of the Union Election Commission.
Earlier, former Rangoon Mayor Aung Thein Lin was mentioned as a possible USDP leader, but corruption in the municipal ranks kept him from the post, according to observers.
In the pre-election period, Aung Thein Lin spent money to build and pave roads in his constituency, South Okkalapa Township, in return for residents’ enlistment and votes, but much of the promised roadwork remains unfinished.
The USDP holds 882 seats out of a total of 1,154 seats (76.5 percent) across the three legislatures.
