Two Mon political parties announce a merger

Min Thu Ta – Leaders from both All Mon Regions Democracy Party (AMDP) and Mon Democracy Party (MDP) announced a merger at the MDP’s 25th anniversary ‘Silver Jubilee’ dinner party on Nov. 23. The event was held at Sunshine Villa’s grassland, in Myae-ni-kon quarter of Mon State capital Moulmein.

MDP Chairman Nai Ngwe Theim, Vice-Chairmen Nai Thet Lwin and Nai Tin Aung, AMDP Chairman Nai Ngwe Thin (aka Nai Janu Mon), and Nai Tala Nye, representative of New Mon State Party’s executive committee, came together for opening remarks, during which the party unification was announced.

“We decided on Nov. 22nd that our two parties should be unified. We have prepared for party registration and will soon decide on a name,” said Nai Ngwe Thein, chairman of AMDP.

On Nov. 22, party leaders met at Dhatumalar monastery, Zay-jo quarter, Moulmein, where they came to agreement on unification.

“Although the parties are unified, we are as yet unregistered as one party. Only after getting permission for the new party will we cancel our party names and submit a new one,” said MDP vice-chairman Nai Tin Aung.

Mon activist Min Min Nwe said that the event was attended by more than 1,000 people, including several famous Mon singers who entertained at the party.

MND contested 1990’s general elections under the name of Mon National Democratic Font (MNDF), but because it did not accept the 2008 constitution the party could not take part in the 2010 elections. MNDF changed its name to MDP and registered as political party on July 10, 2012.

AMDP, however, was formed by a separate group of Mon politicians to contest in the 2010 elections, winning 16 seats.