Sai Aung Myo Lwin — Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s visit to Kani and Homalin in northern Sagaing Region may pose a challenge for Red Shan parties, according to Red Shan (Taileng) and Northern Shan Ethnics Solidarity Party (SNSP) Secretary U Saw Win Tun.
“If she doesn’t go on her campaign trip, there may only be moderate support for her NLD party. But I believe our campaign may lose some of its strength in areas where we have already campaigned due to her personal influence, as I have found some among our Red Shan people who are enthusiastic about voting for the NLD,” said U Saw Win Tun.
He added that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been travelling to remote ethnic areas for the campaign in order to increase her support among ethnic people.
The National League for Democracy (NLD)’s Sagaing Region secretary told the Red Shan Voice journal that the party’s chairman arrived in Kani today and will travel along the Chindwin River the following day, making a stop at Htamanthi village before arriving in Homalin in the evening. She will hold a rally for her party at the Sutaungpyae Pagoda grounds in Khopaewa ward in Homalain on the 27th.
Kani was ruled by Red Shan Sawbwas for many generations until Burma achieved
independence. The largest number of Red Shan in Sagain reside in Homalin Township.
This will be Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s first visit to these areas.
Two Red Shan parties - Taileng (Red Shan) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP) and the Red Shan (Taileng) and Northern Shan Ethnics Solidarity Party (SNSP) – will compete in these
areas in the upcoming election. They will be taking part in closely followed races with the two major parties – the NLD and the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).
Translated by Thida Linn with editing by BNI staff.
