U Thae Yal, Secretary of the KySDP declared he Kayah State Democratic Party (KySDP) will make cooperation with the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) only when the NLD has exact and strong pledges.

The NLD which secured the majority seats in the 2020 General Elections, issued a statement on November 12, inviting ethnic parties to make cooperation, as the NLD has the same objective as  ethnic-based  parties. The NLD claims it will pay attention to the demands of ethnic people.

“This statement alone is not enough. The NLD is required to meet all ethnic parties, only if it reall[TF1] y wants to make cooperation with them. This statement is superficial. The NLD needs to move forward to the next step,” U Thae Yal, added.

The reason why the party hesitates to accept the NLD’s invitation is the NLD is unable to implement the federal system aspired by ethnics. Monywa Aung Shin, Secretary of the NLD’s Central Information Committee said: “According to the election results, the NLD will have to make cooperation with ethnic parties. The NLD will set up the national united government through practical cooperation with ethnics, but not on paper.”

Khun Bee Htoo, Chair of the Kayan National Party (KNP) said: “Our party will continue to implement our objective. We have already accepted the democratic process. Now we need to achieve ethnic rights as well. We will make cooperation with the NLD and other big parties on the basis of adhering o ethnic rights. If this condition is in place, we are ready to join hands. On the other hand, the NLD needs to give some answers, if the NLD wants to make cooperation.  

How will the NLD implement a federal system? What is the pledge for the rights of ethnic  minorities? The NLD must have the answers to these questions. Ethnic minorities will decide  based on the NLD’s response.”

Among 34 constituencies in Kayah State, the NLD secured 20 seats, the KySDP eight and the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) six.