Myanmar’s former ruling party relieves 17 senior members hinh anh 1Former USDP chairman and speaker of the lower house Shwe Mann. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA)Myanmar’s Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has dismissed 17 senior members, including former party chairman and speaker of the lower house Shwe Mann, local media reported on April 25.

Other USDP members expelled include U Maung Maung Thein, U San Shwe Aung, U Ko Ko Naing, U Zaw Myint Pe, U Thein Zaw and Thura U Aung Ko.

Shwe Mann currently serves as Chairman of the Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission formed on March 1, while Thura U Aung Ko is Minister of Religious Affairs and Culture with the new government.

The USDP carried out a major reshuffle to its 47-member central executive committee (CEC) in August last year ahead of the general election.

Despite its leadership reform, the party lost to its opposition party National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi, holding only 10 percent of the total parliament seats.

The USDP ruled Myanmar from March 2011 to March 2016.-VNA
VNA