Members of the United Democratic Party (UDP) gathered in Naypyitaw on Wednesday morning for a show of strength that comes amid reports the party is struggling in the wake of a major setback.
Around 300 people showed up for the rally at Naypyitaw’s Uppatasanti Pagoda, along with about 20 cars and dozens of motorcycles. They then proceeded to other townships in the national capital, where the party’s headquarters are located.
The UDP’s prospects in next month’s election have been in question since its chairman, Kyaw Myint, was arrested last week for fleeing from prison more than 20 years ago.
The rally’s organizers sought to put those concerns to rest.
“Although the chairman is in prison, we all still have the UDP mindset,” Htun Lin, the head of the UDP in Naypyitaw, told the media before the rally.
UDP central executive committee members urged party members to redouble their efforts despite the chair’s arrest, which they said was a “personal matter.”
“The UDP is not reliant on the chair. As long as there’s public support, the party will stand,” Htun Lin said.
The UDP, which is also known as the Rose party, is contesting in over 1,130 constituencies in the upcoming election, making it the second-largest contender after the ruling National League of Democracy.
