It’s a welcome to the National League for Democracy’s plan to seek common agreement by holding talks with the ethnic parties, said Naing La Yi Tama, joint secretary (1) of the Mon Unity Party (MUP). 

He said his party had no certain opinion when the NLD sent an open letter in November. As it was just a letter of notice for the political parties, they decided during a party CEC meeting not to make a reply but welcomed it, he added. 

“What we heard from the media reports after the NLD’s CEC meeting is that the NLD has formed a team led by Dr Aung Moe Nyo to meet the ethnic parties and seek common agreement. We welcome this. We are also prepared to meet them. When it comes to the future Myanmar, their attitude towards seeking common ground by having talks with the ethnic parties is welcomed,” Naing La Yitma said.  

 “We have been prepared for the fundamental principles for federalism we ethnic minorities would like to have. We are also discussing with other ethnic parties. All the ethnic parties are still under coordination to make the same voice when we hold talks with the NLD,” he said.  

In the 2020 general election held on November 8, 257 candidates contested 54 constituencies in Mon State for the seats of lower and upper houses of parliament and state parliament as well as for ethnic representatives. 

The NLD and MPU won 31 seats and 14 seats respectively.