PKR is expected to spring a surprise by naming a total newcomer, S Manikumar, 35, as the Pakatan Rakyat candidate for the Bukit Selambau by-election on April 7.

bukit selambau 120209 road sign Sources told malaysiakini that the party leadership has decided to cross out three names from the current list and opt for Manikumar even though he has limited political experience.

Previously, it was widely tipped that the party had shortlisted three potential candidates for the Bukit Selambau state seat in Kedah.

The three were Sungai Petani PKR division member Dr R Krishnamoorthy, the division's committee member S Sritharan and Merbok division committee member and Sungai Petani municipal councillor K Masilamani.

However, it is now learnt that the party has been persuaded by the state seat’s previous representative, V Arumugam, to run with Manikumar.

An official announcement on Manikumar's candidacy will be announced by PKR chief Anwar Ibrahim in Sungai Petani on Friday.

Nomination day for the by-election is on March 29.

potential non pkr candidates for bukit selambau by-election 110209 v arumugam kedah pkr executive councillor The seat fell vacant following Arumugam’s ( right ) sudden decision to step down, citing pressure from Barisan Nasional for him to defect to the other side.

Hindraf’s chances diminished?

A source close to the party said that Manikumar was a close associate of Arumugam.

"Arumugam met Anwar recently and managed to convince him that his candidate would be able to win the seat and do a good job as an elected representative," said the source.

The source also said Manikumar would be an ideal choice as the state executive councillor, replacing Arumugam.

Arumugam, who still yields wide influence in Bukit Selambau, has also said that he would be campaigning for Manikumar, added the source.

Manikumar's camp, when contacted, was not willing to comment stating that they would rather wait for the official announcement by the Kedah MB.

The decision by PKR to go with Arumugam’s choice also means that any hope Hindraf had of nominating their own candidate has now diminished.

bukit selambau by-election bn candidate 140309 s ganesan Hindraf is believed to have a shortlist of its own candidates – including ISA-detained K Vasantha Kumar – for the seat.

Still confident

The movement was believed to have been lobbying hard for Anwar to select their own candidate given that the movement has strong support in the area.

The movement’s leaders are, however, maintaining their confidence that their candidate will still get the nod from Anwar.

It is also learnt that the Merbau PKR division was unhappy with the choice of Manikumar. Similarly the three early frontrunners were also said to be disappointed with the party's decision.

The by-election is expected to see a multi-cornered fight with several independents having expressed interest to contest.

BN has named Kedah deputy MIC chief and former Lunas assembly person S Ganesan ( above) for the by-election.

Almost 30 percent of Bukit Selambau’s 35,140 voters are Indians.