Kachin Parties Agree to Merge

The Kachin Democratic Party (KDP), the Kachin State Democracy Party (KSDP), and the Kachin National Congress (KNC) agreed to the merger during a special meeting on the party merger held by the KPCC on January 13.

“It’s good for both the public and the party if we can unite the Kachin parties into a single party. That’s why we are merging. We hope we can contribute more to the state if we become powerful,” said U Gumgrawng Awng Hkam, chairman of the Kachin Democratic Party.

The parties’ leaders expressed their hope to lead the Kachin public with the new merged party. They also said they accept the Kachin public’s suggestion to merge the Kachin political parties and urge them to cooperate and give their suggestions for the future political aims.

The new party’s name, logo, and emblem will be revealed to the public to seek their approval, according to the statement.

“The party will grow and work more for the public if the public cooperate with us on this merger,” said U Gumgrawng Awng Hkam.

The three parties will meet again on February 20 to implement their decision for the merger.

The statement said all the party members of the KPCC attended the special meeting on the party merger at the YMCA Hall in Myitkyina and frankly discussed their views on the merger issue.

The KPCC comprises the KDP, the KSDP, the KNC, and the Lhaovo National Unity and Development Party (LNUDP).

U Gumgrawng Awng Hkam explained that the LNUDP is not joining the merger but it will continue to cooperate as an allied party.

“They are unable to join due to a situation, but they want to join us in the future. This is the current decision, but we have decided to cooperate with the LNUDP as our ally or ‘brother’ party,” he added.

Attempts have been made to merge the Kachin political parties in the Kachin State since 2014 and the three political parties were able to agree on the merger after four years.