Rakhine groups negotiate merger, as RNDP boss quits

Rakhine groups negotiate merger, as RNDP boss quits

By Naw Say Phaw Waa   |   Monday, 17 June 2013

The two largest ethnic Rakhine political parties met in Yangon on June 15 to discuss the possibility of a merger to improve their chances of victory in future elections.

Officials from both the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP) and the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) said they expected the negotiations, which will take place at the Rakhine Thahaya Association office in Yangon, to be successful.

"I can't say it is certain. We will only know after the discussion," said RNDP chairman U Aye Maung.

"But I believe we need to merge before the by-elections in November. Our parties have to be united so that we are able to compete."

U Aye Maung said he had also applied to resign from his party on June 3.

He refused to say why but described it as an internal matter.

"My intention before I resign is to try to work for national reconciliation between these two parties. It is up to the parties whether they make my dream come true," he said.

ALD chairman U Aye Thar Aung told The Myanmar Times that the party is ready to merge with the RNDP but a formal announcement will not be made until after the meeting.

He said his party had proposed the merger in early 2013 but had initally been rebuffed by the RNDP.

However, on June 3 the party received a letter from the RNDP proposing talks on June 15.

"Our party's policy is to work for national reconciliation and unity. That's why we offered to discuss the idea of a merger with the RNDP but until now it hasn't happened," he said.

"Whenever we conducted party activities in the state, people always asked us to merge the two parties. We have already announced that we are ready to join if the [RNDP] is ready as well."

U Aye Maung said earlier discussions on the subject had failed to progress because of infighting in both parties, adding that "some people just want to blame each other and spread propaganda".

If the talks are successful, the parties will both have to disband and form a new party, as election commission rules do not allow mergers.

The RNDP was one of the most successful opposition parties in the 2010 election, winning 16 national-level seats and 19 in state and region hluttaws.

The ALD was formed in 1989 and won 11seats in the 1990 election.

It was later deregistered and boycotted the 2010 vote but re-registered in April 2012.

Ko Kyaw Min from the Arakan Youths Organisation said he hoped to see the two parties merge "into one big party".

"If they merge it will be better for the Rakhine community. We only hope that the new party can do good things for Rakhine people. All Rakhine people should be united," he said.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/06/24/rakhine-groups-negotiate-merger-as-rndp-boss-quits/