April 24, 2016

Myanmar's USDP Expels 17, Including Former Assembly Speaker

Myanmar's opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party has expelled former party chairman and parliamentary speaker Shwe Mann and 16 of his allies in the military-affiliated party, a senior USDP official said on Saturday.

"About 17 members who are not obeying party rules and disciplines were allowed to leave from the party," Tint Zaw, a member  of the USDP's Central Committee, told RFA's Myanmar service.

Tint Zaw said the decision was taken at a meeting of senior party leaders to plan for upcoming by-elections, and that those expelled included Shwe Mann affiliates Aung Ko and Maung Maung Thein.

He did not elaborate on what party rules the party members had violated, but suggested a link between the expulsions and Shwe Mann's decision in February to accept an appointment by incoming leader Aung San Suu Kyi as chairman of the Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission. That body supports parliamentary committees as they amend existing laws and draft new legislation. (Courtesy of RFA)

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