Myanmar Hopes ‘Mother Suu’ Improves Lives As Nobel Peace Laureate Looks All Set To Win In Upcoming Elections

The Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi may have not impressed her critics in recent times, but her popularity among the people of Myanmar is still intact.

Critics often blame the National League for Democracy leader for her poor management style. Her admirers abroad have criticized her for not taking a strong stand against human-rights abuses.

However, Suu Kyi's red flags are seen all across Myanmar as she is expected to carry the NLD to victory with flying colors in the upcoming parliamentary elections on Nov. 8. It is, nevertheless, unclear who will lead the nation if Suu Kyi's secures victory as the constitution does not allow her to be the president.

The 70-year-old has two sons who are British citizens as she was married to anthropologist Michael Aris, a British national. According to the constitution of the country, anyone whose child is a foreign country national is not eligible to be the president.

Even in 2010, the ruling military junta penalized newspapers for publishing pictures of Suu Kyi. She was freed in 2010 after remaining in house arrest for 15 of the previous 21 years. As the “first free and fair election in the country for 25 years” approaches, the national media shows a dramatic interest in Suu Kyi.

AP quotes 54-year-old rice farmer Myint Thein, who calls Suu Kyi a “hero.” "Mother Suu is our hero,” said Thein who belongs to Suu Kyi’s constituency. “We want her to be our leader."

"We know that when Mother Suu is in a position of power, she will improve our lives," said 32-year-old Mya Thandar, another villager who backs the veteran leader.