Sixty-two members of the National League for Democracy of Shwepyi Village National League for Democracy in Singu Township, Mandalay Division, resigned from the party of own volition after submitting their signed letters of resignation to the NLD headquarters and the local authorities on 2 May.

The collective resignation ceremony held at the village was attended by Chairman of Singu Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-Commission U Kyaw Swa, Secretary U Hla Tun, Joint Secretary U Yi and six members, U Saw Htay who had already resigned from the NLD and representative- elect of Singu Township constituency. Ma Htoo (a) Ma Khin Hnin Swe who resigned from the party emceed the ceremony and Chairman of Shwepyi Village NLD U Thaung explained the purpose of the resignation.

U Thaung said that factional divisions occurred in the NLD and at present it has deviated from democracy practices. He revealled a misdeed of the NLD, saying that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and party arrived at the township in May 2003. He said, she and her group did not make any arrangements for regional development, instead, poured bad blood between the Myanmar people in accord with the policy of Western colonial countries. There appeared antagonism between the townspeople as well as among the Myanmar citizens. The nation will develop only when there is national unity. But the entire NLD was practising the policy of “Look West” and were relying too much on aliens. As explained by the Minister for Information at a press conference during the previous month, the NLD central executive committee members did not keep their word to attend the National Convention. In addition, they were slandering the Convention. Only now, they are using the words “dialogue” and “national reconciliation”, but not for democracy, just for self-centred ism and extreme self interest. All the 62 persons were disappointed with the deeds of the NLD central. The 62 persons quit the NLD as the CEC has no ability to lead and the future is bleak.

The 62 presented their letters of resignation to the chairman of Township Election Sub-commission of own volition. After the ceremony, U Saw Htay extended greetings, saying that he quit the NLD because of his old age. His efforts were for democracy. The government has been endeavouring for emergence of a new democratic state in accord with the seven-point policy. All should work together with the government for the success of the policy.