Wednesday, November 16, 2011

MNDF to strengthen itself by adding former rebel leaders

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Wednesday, 16 November 2011 11:54 Kun Chan

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF), a political party that was dissolved by the former junta, says that it will strengthen itself by adding eight former leaders of the armed rebel New Mon State Party (NMSP) to its ranks.

Dr.Min Soe Lin -MNDF (Photo:Kaowao)“They have offered to join us under our party’s flag. We’ve invited them to attend our coming meeting,” said MNDF General-Secretary Dr. Min Soe Lin.


In October, former NMSP central committee members held meetings in Mon State and decided to join up with the MNDF to take part in political activities, according to sources close to them.

The MNDF has not identified the eight Mon leaders, but sources said that they may include former NMSP joint secretary Nai Chan Twe, Nai Lawi Mon, Nai Htaw Ein, Nai Nyan Tun, Nai Kaw Hta and former central executive committee member Nai Tin Aung, who retired from the NMSP in 2000.

On November 20, the MNDF will hold a meeting in Mawlamyaing, the capital of Mon State.

Min Soe Lin said that more than 50 people including former NMSP leaders, scholars and nationalists have been invited. In the meeting, new members will be accepted and they will discuss whether the MNDF will register as a political party or not, he said.

“Mainly, we will discuss ways to strengthen our party. Now, our leaders in Rangoon are talking with ethnic political parties and the NLD [National League for Democracy]. We will review their decision and decide if our party will register or not,” Min Soe Lin said.

The NLD, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, will hold a central committee meeting on Friday to decide whether the NLD will register as a political party or not before the coming by-elections.

Under the Constitution, a political party needs to contest in at least three constituencies to remain a legal political party.

Presently, the MNDF and some political parties including the NLD are cooperating with the Committee Representing People's Parliament and the United Nationalities Alliance.

The MNDF was formed on October 11, 1988. Nineteen MNDF candidates contested in the 1990 general elections and five won seats. The former junta refused to recognize the 1990 elections result. In 1991, a number of MNDF leaders were arrested and the former junta dissolved the party on March 19, 1992.

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