NLD top leaders take roadshow to grass roots

Written by Myint Maung

Tuesday, 22 June 2010 16:56 -

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Leaders of the National League for Democracy are conducting a
roadshow of states and divisions to meet grass-roots members, explain policies and listen to the
challenges they are facing since the party was declared illegal and disbanded by the ruling
military junta early last month after deciding against registering under “unjust” electoral laws, a
senior leader said. 

The tour comes at the request of NLD general secretary Aung San Suu Kyi, central executive
committee member Ohn Kyaing said.

From June 12, NLD central executive committee members Ohn Kyaing and Kyi Win have been
on a tour set to take in Moegyoke, Thapatekyin, Mattaya, Patheingyi, Meiktila, Myinchan,
Kyaukpadaung, Nyaung Oo in Mandalay Division and Pakokku in Magway Division. Similarly,
central executive committee members Dr Win Tin and Han Tha Myint, and Bahan Township
NLD chairman Aung Myint, have been touring Karen State since Saturday, Suu Kyi’s 65th
birthday.

“We will not hold political meetings, issue political statements or direct the grass roots of the
party. But we do need to find out about conditions on the ground,” Ohn Kyaing told Mizzima.
“Aung San Suu Kyi told us to meet our political colleagues and listen to their difficulties.”

Suu Kyi issued the directive to listen to grass-roots voices when she met her lawyer Nyan Win.
At the meeting, she asked the leaders to carry the message to township leaders that although
the NLD had been barred from political activities, the group should continue working for national
reconciliation, human rights and democracy as a leading political opposition group.

In the states and divisions visited so far during the NLD tours, the senior party executives
explained to grass-roots party members the nature of the junta’s one-sided and unjust electoral
laws and the party’s decision against re-registering with the junta’s Union Election Commission
(UEC). Township members said they supported the party’s decisions and that they would follow
unanimously the leadership of Suu Kyi and party policy, the party sources said.

Ohn Kyaing said: “Aung San Suu Kyi, party’s vice-chairman Tin Oo and CEC member Win Tin
told us to carry out non-profit social services under a political agenda.” 

CEC members met grass-roots party leaders Thein Tan and Dr. Zaw Myint Maung, NLD leaders
in Mandalay Division. NLD members Myo Naing and Maung Maung Than also attended. Ohn
Kyaing said the team would visit townships in Magway including Pakkoku after Mandalay.

A group led by Win Tin has since Saturday visited Hlaingbwe and Phaan in Karen State. He
called in on the party grass roots in Mandalay, Pegu (Bago) and Rangoon Divisions early this
year.

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