Political parties open to forming alliances in run-up to polls

Friday, 09 July 2010 21:14 Nyein Thu

Rangoon (Mizzima) - Five political parties are trying to build a political alliance as a part of their preparations for the forthcoming election, the parties said.

Democratic Party (Myanmar), National Democratic Force (NDF), Rakhine National Development Party, Shan National Democratic Party (SNDP) and Union Democratic Party (UDP) are talking of forming an alliance.

UDP chairman Phyo Min Thein told Mizzima: “Our target is to win in this year’s elections, so we will co-operate with any political party that has the same objective.”

“But, currently, we have not arranged in detail how to co-operate with each other, but the discussions over forming a political alliance will continue,” he said.

Democratic Party (Myanmar) chairman Thu Wai said his party would build mutual trust with other political parties by negotiating and holding discussions with them as the elections approach, and that the party was holding talks with the UDP.

“We are trying to establish communication with each other and grow familiar with each other. To form an alliance, we need to have the same objectives. We will co-operate as closely as we can”, Thu Wai said.

NDF leader Khin Maung Swe said his party also sought to work with ethnic minority parties as the party had decided against contesting in predominately ethnic areas.

“We will not contest in ethnic constituencies. So, we want to invite the ethnic parties to co-operate with us”, Khin Maung Swe said.

Democratic Party (Myanmar), the NDF and the UDP intend to contest nationwide and party leaders said to that end their main rivals were the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and junta ally, the National Unity Party (NUP).

“The USDP has the support of the junta and the National Unity Party has endured many years. They have money, buildings, power and opportunities,” Thu Wai said. “But we also have some strength, because the people like the truth, honesty and fairness. So, if we are honest with the people, we will reach their hearts.”

Similarly, the Rakhine National Development Party secretary said its main rival would be the USDP led by current Prime Minister Thein Sein. Tun Aung Kyaw told Mizzima: “We will contest in all 17 Townships of Arakan State and will also contest in Mandalay, Pharkant, Laputta and Higyi.”

Laputta and Higyi townships were among the towns hardest hit by Cyclone Nargis in 2008. The death toll in Laputta alone out of a population of about 200,000 was estimated at around 60,000. Pharkant is a township in the northern state of Kachin. The townships are party strongholds from which some leaders orginate.

“We have opened an office in Rangoon and have plans to co-operate with other parties if they have the same objective,” he said.

The Democratic Party (Myanmar) this morning held a signboard installation ceremony in front of its headquarters at 52nd Street, Botahtaung Township in Rangoon. Chief secretary Than Than Nu and secretaries Nay Yi Ba Swe and Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein opened proceedings by sprinkling scented water on the building.

Meanwhile, the junta was preparing to dissolve its nationalist organisation, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), but will form a new group in its place, a source close to Naypyidaw said.

After the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), decided against contesting the upcoming elections, and to carry out social work instead, the junta had equivocated over whether it should continue running the USDA. It recently decided to form a new social organisation as a substitute, the source said.