National League for Democracy leader Win Htein said yesterday that speculation about an impending cabinet reshuffle is ‘just a rumor’.
The party leader had previously encouraged the rumors by acknowledging the shortcomings of ministers in the NLD government and the public criticism they have attracted.
He changed his tone when he spoke with journalists in Naypyidaw yesterday after a meeting of the party’s central executive committee. He denied rumors that party leaders had discussed replacing the ministers for religious affairs and commerce, as well as some regional chief ministers.
“The central executive committee meeting focused on the matters relating to by-elections and complaints,” Win Htein told reporters.
Rumors of a reshuffle have been circulating since November, when deputy minister for agriculture Dr Tun Win was removed from office after clashing with minister Dr Aung Thu.
The rumors have been fueled by public complaints about the NLD’s slow approach to reforming the country and its ministers’ lack of experience.
Frontier reported last month that several MPs said they were certain that ministers in the Union government and in some state and region governments would be replaced.
“It will happen after the by-elections because before that we’ll be too busy,” one MP told Frontier on condition of anonymity.
The NLD will contest 18 out of 19 vacant seats in the by-elections scheduled for April 1.
