SNDP leader Sai Ai Pao met Hkun Tun Oo at around 2:00 pm local time for about half an hour. The meeting took place at Hkun Tun Oo’s home in Rangoon, a source said.

Sai Ai Pao told Hkun Tun Oo that Shan parties would confront difficulty in the upcoming by-elections because they are not strong enough like other parties such as National League for Democracy (NLD) and Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). Therefore, SNLD and SNDP should combine as one party for the by-elections. Sai Ai Pao urged Hkun Tun Oo to be a candidate for the National Assembly seat for Constituency #3, Shan State, said SNLD spokesperson Sai Leik.

However, Hkun Tun Oo said he would need to consult with his party whether or not it should re-register for the elections or take up Sai Ai Pao’s offer. At the SNLD central committee meeting due to be held soon, he will discuss with committee members about Sai Ai Pao’s request and will decide whether the party will join the SNDP, said Sai Leik.

Among the SNDP members that came to meet Hkun Tun Oo were SNDP president and Shan State Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Sai Ai Pao, General Secretary Sai Hla Kyaw, Treasurer Sao Yun Peng and Joint Treasurer Saw Than Myint.

On the SNLD side were Chairman Hkun Tun Oo, General Secretary Sai Nyunt Lwin and other central committee members.

Sai Ai Pao was elected General Secretary of SNLD in 1989, but he left the party in 1996.

According to SNLD sources, Constituency #3 was won by USDP candidate Dr Sai Mawk Kham, who became Vice President of Thein Sein government. Constituency #3 includes Lashio, Hsenwi, Mong Yai, Tangyan, Kutkhai and Kunlong.