Yes, many Shans are worried about the two tiger parties contesting the November general elections. The constituency comprised 5 townships: Lashio, Hsenwi, Kunlong, Mongyai and Tangyan.

Officially, the 26 year old Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), known as the Tiger Head for its logo, is waiting for the amendments of the 2008 constitution before any decision to enter or not enter the polls could be made. But some leading members are already pushing for Yes, as the number of MPs defecting from the 5 year old Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), better known as the White Tiger for its logo, swells up.

During the October meeting between the two sides, both had rejected the overwhelming calls for a merger, saying there was little time for preparations before the elections. They could only consider it after, not before, them.

That was a big disappointment for the people everywhere. “At first, they said they would unite if it’s the wish of the people,” one reader complained to SHAN. “Then after more than 3,600 monks and people from 52 townships presented a signed petition, they are giving us this excuse. I’ve started to wonder whether each is working for his/her own party or for the people”.

However, a further disappointment seems to be in order, because a number of hotheads from both sides are pressing for a no-holds-barred competition. “It’s democracy,” one fumed. “Why should we be restricted from doing things we want to?”

The answer is straight and simple: Neither is going to win when each ends up being a spoiler for the other. And more.

“I voted in 1990,” said a frustrated middle-aged lady. “I voted in 2010 too. But I think I’ll vote No to both this time, and clap my hands for the Peacock (National League for Democracy of Aung San Suu Kyi) or the Lion (the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party), because it’ll be one of them that’s going to win.”

She was just short of adding, “It’ll serve them right,” but, with all her vehemence, she didn’t need to.

The 2012 by-election results in northern is chosen here as a prime example, because, unlike the 2010 elections, it was known as one with less irregularities.

There were 5 parties contesting for the Amyotha Hluttaw (National Assembly) seat vacated by Sai Mawk Kham, USDP, who became Vice President. And the results are as follows:

It was a close call for Sai Sam Min. He was the least well known among the top three. Sai Myint Maung, also a Shan, was a lawyer who had helped several people in their legal cases. He was also the winner during the 1990 elections. Nang Keng Phawng Tip, another Shan, meanwhile, was a practicing physician and was also active in women’s affairs.

The two had lost to the SNDP candidate for no reason other than that both were seen as working for Burman-dominated parties, but Sai Sam Min wasn’t, according to local sources.

But suppose the same thing were to take place in November, the only difference being there’ll be two Shan parties, instead of one, scrambling over each other for the one seat, the result would be obvious. As the former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said to the rival Democratic Party, after votes were split between its two competing leaders, “Want to become a government? Wait for the next life, when the sun is high up in the sky.”

But there are ways to remedy this, only if both parties are willing to listen to cooler heads and place the interests of the state above one’s own party:

One is already been a somewhat worn-out suggestion: For the two parties to avoid contesting the same constituencies. It still deserves consideration nevertheless.

The other is more strategic:

• The Tiger Head wants to change the constitution. So why not contest the Lower House and Upper House seats (Lower House: 55 seats, Upper House: 12 seats)?
• As for the White Tiger, it has already announced it is aiming for the state government house. So why not contest the State Assembly seats (110 seats in all) and leave the Upper and Lower House to the Tiger Head?

That way, both will win. What’s more, the people of Shan State will win. What is more important than that: beating others together or beating each other?