OCT 12 – Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has taken a commanding lead in terms of nominations over Khairy Jamaluddin in the race for the Umno Youth Chief post.
The contest is fast developing into a proxy battle between the party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi, Khairy's father-in-law, and Tun Mahathir Mohamad, the father of Mukhriz, for influence in Umno.
As of Saturday, Mukhriz has secured nominations from 29 divisions while Khairy has garnered 14.
Former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo has secured seven nominations, but he is not expected to be a significant contender.
The race is shaping up into a two-horse race between Mukhriz and Khairy.
Mukhriz's early lead appears to show Dr Mahathir still wields substantial influence in the party.
To be deemed qualified to be on the official ballot, a candidate needs at least 39 nominations and Mukhriz is close to touching distance.
As the nominations continue, the momentum for Mukhriz is likely to grow as Abdullah's influence in the party wanes in the final months of his presidency.
Khairy's association with the outgoing administration is also a liability because he is now left fighting against perception that he was favoured by his father-in-law.
Pro-Mahathir forces in the party will be rubbing their hands in glee at the prospect of a negative campaign against Khairy.
So far, in terms of nominations, the odds appear stack against Khairy.
While early indications are of an overwhelming support for Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to take over the helm as party president and deputy president respectively, the vice-presidents' race remains wide open.
Among a raft of contenders, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has already taken an early lead with three nominations.
In the Wanita Umno contest, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz has taken a commanding lead in nominations, securing 39 so far to Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil's eight.
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Go Mukriz go you are a gentleman.