If purged ruling party politician Shwe Mann wants to jump ship to the opposition, it looks like Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy would welcome him.
Nyan Win, central committee member of the NLD, hinted that the former Union Solidarity and Development party chair would be accepted as a member.
“We are open to everyone being a member,” Nyan Win told The Voice, in response to a question about Shwe Mann being admitted.
Shwe Mann has applied to stand for the USDP in his native Phyu township constituency of Bago Region but his future within the party is uncertain after he was dramatically ousted from his position as chair in August.
When asked whether the NLD would consider proposing him as a presidential candidate, Nyan Win said that risked causing “internal problems”.
Suu Kyi is out of the running because of a constitutional clause that bans candidates with foreign children or spouses – her sons are British.
She had forged a close relationship with Shwe Mann, who has had run-ins with the government over issues like budget cuts and constitutional changes.
Photo of Shwe Mann in parliament on August 18 / Aung Naing Soe / Coconuts Yangon
