Myanmar | Ruling party forces out influential chairman

Myanmar’s Parliament speaker Shwe Mann

In a power play ahead of general elections, Myanmar’s military-backed ruling party announced the ouster yesterday of its politically popular chairman hours after security forces seized the party headquarters, preventing some members from leaving.
Tensions have been building for months between President Thein Sein and Shwe Mann, who up until Wednesday’s midnight reshuffle headed the Union Solidarity and Development Party.
The men, both retired army generals, each have expressed interest in leading the country.
Candidates for the upcoming polls were announced Wednesday at an internal party meeting in the capital, Naypyitaw.
Members also were told Shwe Mann — who has lost support of the military in recent months — had been dismissed as party chair, sparking outcry by some. It was not clear if he will stay on as the influential speaker of parliament.
“I heard something is going on with the changing of party leaders or high-ranking offices,” Minister of Information Ye Htut said on his Facebook page, adding there was little more he could say as it was a party matter.
The Nov. 8 general election will be the first since a nominally civilian government was installed in 2011. Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who enjoys huge public support, is barred from running for president but is seeking re-election to Parliament.
Shwe Mann was seen as a leading candidate for the presidency.
The party said at a brief news conference yesterday he was being replaced by the party’s vice-chairman Htay Oo.
No clear explanation was given.Aung Shine Oo, Naypyitaw, AP