A respected townsperson, who had agreed to join the Shan National Democratic Party (SNDP) in Shan State South’s Monghsu township was reportedly picked up by the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), led by Prime Minister Thein Sein, say local sources.
Khun Leng, a locally respected figure in the gemland of Monghsu, 189 miles northeast of Shan State capital Taunggyi, reportedly had an informal agreement with the SNDP to be their representative in the area. The SNDP members in Shan State South were on their way to meet him last weekend to formalize the agreement and open a branch office in Monghsu when they were delayed because their transportation broke down.
“The SNDP members were coming to the area in order to form a branch committee and recruit more members, but their cars broke down on the way and they were delayed for three or four days,” a local resident said.
While the SNDP delegation’s arrival was being delayed, Khun Leng was summoned by Maj Gen Ya Pyae, Commander of the Eastern Region Command and Chairman of Shan State South Peace and Development Council, and “advised” to join the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).
“Ya Pyae left Khun Leng little option but to accept his offer, leaving the SNDP having to look for a replacement and still to form a committee there,” said the source.
Currently in Shan State East and South the USDP is the only party to be represented, according to local people. Other parties’ presence will depend on them being able to find a candidate who is considered well-respected locally to be suitable. The SNDP said it is trying its best to get to the area as soon as possible to start putting candidates forward for consideration.
However, the SNDP remains in a strong position and at present it is reported to be enjoying immense support from local people in Shan State North. The party has now exceeded its 1,000 member quota, enough to submit to the Elections Commission to contest in the forthcoming general elections. In addition, some members from the USDP are said to have defected to join the SNDP.
There are so far 14 political parties, which will contest in whole Shan State, North, East and South: Kayan National Party (KNP), Shan National Democratic Party (SNDP), Taang (Palaung) National Party (PNP), Wa National Unity Party (WNUP), Wa Democratic Party (WDP), Northern Shan State Progressive Party (NSSPP), Kokang Democracy and Unity Party (KDUP), Pa-O National Organization (PNO), Inn National Development Party (INDP), Lahu National Development Party (LNDP), Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and National Unity Party (NUP), National Democratic Froce (NDF), Union Democracy Party (UDP) and Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics (UMFNP).
The SNDP will contest in 40 townships in Shan State as well as areas outside such as Kachin, Karenni state and Mandalay, Sagaing and Ragoon Divisions, all of which have large Shan populations.
The WDP will contest in four townships, Hopang, Tangyan, Markmang (Metman) and Kunlong, none of which are under Wa control.
The other Wa party, the WNUP will contest in Lashio, Kengtung, Tangyan and Hopang townships, where there are significant numbers of Wa people.
The LNDP will contest in six townships across the Shan State: Shan State North’s Tangyan Township and Shan State East’s Mongton, Mongpiang, Monghsat, Mongphyak and Tachilek townships.
As for the NDF, a splinter party from the NLD, it might have a chance in Kengtung, according to a former NLD member, but not in Lashio and Taunggyi. Kengtung, Lashio and Taunggyi are the largest cities in Shan State.
