Aung San Suu Kyi has tasted success, yet again!. Her National League for Democracy (NLD) Party had registered a landslide victory in Myanmar’s first free elections five years ago. Although her victory was quite expected this time, there were signs of various grievances against the Government. Nevertheless, the NLD has managed to increase its seats in the Parliament. As it turns out, the popularity of Suu Kyi has not decreased, but increased. However, the fact is that her path might not be very smooth.

The Myanmarese Politician, Diplomat, Author and 1991 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate has failed to keep her last two major election promises… She is yet to liberate her country from the grip of the military, as well to establish a full-fledged Democracy… Furthermore, the Rohingya Crisis is still there. In fact, the main factor behind Suu Kyi’s electoral success is also a controversial one. Experts are of the opinion that the way she ignored the Global Community’s suggestions to resolve the Rohingya Issue has helped her perform well in the election.

No wonder, the Army-backed main Opposition Party has accused Suu Kyi’s NDL of appeasing the Rohingyas and Muslims in order to win elections. The sectarian and hateful propaganda has not created troubles for the ruler. However, it put the Rohingyas under tremendous pressure, as they feel the heat of hate politics. Voting was cancelled in Rohingya-dominated Rakhine State! Nearly 0.8 million Rohingyas, currently living in temporary shelters in neighbouring Bangladesh, failed to exercise their franchise! In addition, the cancellation of votes of the Rohingyas still living the country has cast a shadow of doubt on the legitimacy of Democracy in Myanmar. Hence, it became somewhat easier for the Opposition Party to call the election unfair without making specific allegations. Earlier, the NLD made an attempt to form pre-poll alliances with minority ethnic political outfits, denying the existence of the Rohingya Issue! This one-sidedness has raised questions about the entire electoral process, and also about the Future of Democracy.

Meanwhile, the International Community has welcomed Suu Kyi’s victory. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi congratulated Suu Kyi over her party’s victory in the Parliamentary Polls, stating: “I look forward to continuing to work with her to strengthen the traditional bonds of friendship between the two countries. The successful conduct of polls is another step in the ongoing democratic transition in Myanmar.”

Although New Delhi has always considered Suu Kyi as a good friend, China’s growing influence in South-East Asia has got India worried. The NLD-led Government in Naypyitaw, possibly, has no other option, but to maintain cordial ties with China in an attempt to boost the National Economy and to ensure peace in border areas. The Asian Giant is ready to increase investment in Myanmar, as well as to develop infrastructure, apart from bringing the armed groups to the negotiating table.

Suu Kyi is well aware of the fact that China will never allow Myanmar to adopt an independent foreign policy. She also knows that the West might not co-operate with her Government that has been accused of violating Human Rights. So, Suu Kyi would have to depend on other regional powers in order to ensure a steady Economic Growth and to bolster security. India can help Myanmar in this regard, as Suu Kyi’s electoral victory is significant for New Delhi, diplomatically!

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Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das