The Kokang Democracy and Unity Party (KDUP) is merely a front for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) of the ruling military junta, according to insiders.

“Many Kokang and ethnic Chinese will be disappointed when they learn that,” the source who requested anonymity said.

During a mock election recently held in Lashio, the capital of Shan State North, where nearly half the population are either Kokang or ethnic Chinese, the KDUP reportedly came up with more than 50,000 votes, even beating the USDP and the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP).

The party’s leader Luo Xingguang (60) is said to be a follower of Liu Guoxi, (75) deputy to Bai Xuoqian, who ascended to the leadership of Kokang, following the overthrow of his predecessor Peng Jiasheng by the Burmese Army last year. Liu Guoxi was named as a drug kingpin in the Far Eastern Economic Review during the mid 90’s.

Apart from KDUP, the PaO National Organization (PNO) in Shan State South, Wa Democratic Party (WDP) and TNP (Ta-ang National Party) in Shan State North and Lahu National Development Party (LNDP) in Shan State East have been named as the USDP’s proxy parties.

Even the SNDP is not immune to accusations. The party leader Sai Ai Pao is said to be an in-law to tycoon Yuzana Htay Myint, who is close to the regime’s generals. But Sai Ai Pao told SHAN, “Personal affairs are personal affairs. Political affairs are political affairs. They have nothing to do with each other.”