Opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has taken her campaign to Kachin State, offering familiar pledges to fight corruption and bring development, pitching for the support of residents apprehensive about the possible return of the Myitsone Dam project. But she is battling what appears to be flagging support in an electoral battleground that has shifted considerably since her party’s by-election triumph three years ago.

The controversial Myitsone Dam project, shelved by President U Thein Sein in 2011, was a hot topic at question-and-answer sessions in the state capital Myitkyina and in Waingmaw township. But even in the face of clear public opposition to any resumption of the project, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi appeared to hedge her bets.

She did promise to publicise details of the US$3.6 billion contract between the government and the Chinese company engaged to build the dam if her party formed the next government, but added, “But it would be irresponsible to make promises [to revoke it] without knowing the details of the contract. I promise to do what I can, but I’m not going to promise what I cannot deliver. That would be cheating.”

The NLD launched its Kachin campaign, from October 2 to 5, despite continuing clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Kachin Independence Army.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi faced questions over the dam because, despite the project’s suspension, many villagers have already been relocated away from the project site to new farms they say are inferior. Many want to return, and sought confirmation that an NLD government would axe the dam completely.

“We would have to pay compensation if the dam is stopped. We don’t yet know exactly what the contract requires. We will find a solution together … We must think about the future of the state,” said the opposition leader, calling for residents’ “consideration”.

Though rallies in Myitkyina, Waingmaw, Nanmatee, Mogaung and Mohnyin attracted plenty of red-shirted supporters waving NLD flags, local residents said her support had fallen since 2012, apparently for reasons related to greater ethnic consciousness.

“Not all the people who attend the rallies are NLD supporters. Some want to see her and hear what she has to say. But now it’s ethnic Kachin parties that are drawing the crowds because they haven’t seen anything from the NLD, and they don’t know its stance on the ethnic issues,” said Seng Mai, chief editor of the local paper Myitkyina.

“When I put her picture on the front page, circulation fell,” she said.

In the 2010 election, there were no Kachin parties running. This year, 503 candidates from 17 parties are in competition, including six parties soliciting Kachin voters and others representing other ethnic groups, including the Shan, the Lisu and the Lawaw.

“I came to hear what she had to say about the development of our state. But all she did was to tell us to vote NLD,” said Ko Zaw Sai of Natgyeekone village, Waingmaw township.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has faced criticism for her silence on the Kachin conflict. In response to questions, she said, “We never received an invitation to join the peace process, and we didn’t want to be accused of putting the peace process at risk.

“Taking part in peace talks is not like sitting around talking in a tea shop. They are by invitation only. If you want us to get involved, give us enough votes so we can form a government,” she told a rally in Nanmatee on October 3.

She repeated the pledge yesterday in Mohnyin, adding, “Genuine peace will be the first priority if I can form a government.

“We will never get peace using dishonest ways,” she said.

She also confirmed that she would continue to lead a victorious NLD even though she is constitutionally barred from becoming president.

Her pledges to end corruption, reform the educational system to international standards, create job security and ensure the rule of law still resonate.

“I love Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. I voted for her party in 1990 and I still trust her. But I don’t know who the NLD candidate in my constitution is,” said Daw San San Myint of Say Thit, Myitkyina.

Today the NLD leader leaves for Bhamo township, where she will wrap up her Kachin campaign. A planned trip to Mansi was cancelled because of fighting between the Tatmadaw and the Kachin Independence Army.