If the National League for Democracy (NLD) is to forge national unity, there should be an exception for chief minister post in some regions and states, said Sai Leik, spokesperson of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD). 

He was responding to the remark NLD chair (2) Dr Zaw Myint Maung made on January 21 that region and state chief ministers are most likely to be from his party in the next government term as per the constitution.  

Looking at the nature of Section 261, for the NLD to envision national unity, President can do as he wishes with an exception. So, it is up to the NLD whether it will focus on national unity or continue the old way due to their political concerns, said Sai Leik, also secretary of the SNLD.

 As per Section 261 of the constitution, President may choose and appoint members of region / state parliaments as state chief ministers.

Dr Zaw Myint Maung made a such remark referring to the constitution that allows the party which is able to form government to choose chief ministers.

The NLD won only a few parliamentary seats in Rakhine and Shan states in the 2015 general election. But under Section 261, the party was able to make its own parliamentary representatives chief ministers.

Sai Leik said it is ambiguous of the NLD, as a party always voicing charter change, to take advantage of the constitution again when today’s political demand arises.

“They are the parties coming to contest election with their aim of amending the constitution. The amendment of the 2008 constitution is also included in the NLD’s election slogan. It is necessary to consider which part should start amending. For the post of state chief minister, for example, they can give a message to the people. They can do it if they want to give room to ethnic minorities. It should not be so by fulfilling the political needs from behind the scenes with the use of the constitution as a tool,” Sai Leik commented.

The NLD team planning to hold talks with ethnic parties met SNLD officials at the NLD office in Taunggyi, Shan State, on January 15. The SNLD promised to cooperate with the NLD in the Union issues saying that they are ready to accept if they are assigned duties in the state level administrative and legislative affairs.