The National League for Democracy (NLD) office in Kayah (Karenni) State suddenly has a windfall of new members, with over 600 people joining the party as of August 9.
Many of the new members are part of the local 88 Generation Peace and Open Society, a political organization that had discussed forming its own opposition political party.
Members said they decided to join the NLD instead in order to support the existing political infrastructure.
Kayah State’s NLD office held a ceremony at City Hall in Loikaw on August 9 to induct over 600 new people including those from the 88 Generation group and some members of the public.
“We want to effectively work for the future of Kayah State and the political development of the country. We want to do so with a great number of forces. That’s why the majority of the members from Kayah State’s 88 Generation, youth from the new generation and members of the public have joined the NLD,” said Ko Thet Naung Tun, an 88 Generation member from Kayah State who joined the NLD.