Three days into the PAS campaign to retain the Manek Urai state seat, there is still no sign of deputy president and Bachok MP Nasharuddin Mat Isa.

His absence is prompting curiosity, especially after his fallout with party spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat over the ‘unity government’ talks.

nasharuddin mat isa manek urai by election While the two patched up their differences last week, tongues began to wag in both the PAS and Umno camps when Nasharuddin did not attend the nomination process on Monday.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang evaded questions from journalists, while Nik Aziz’s response was ascerbic: Pergi tanya dialah (Go and ask him).

At a press conference today, PAS Manek Urai election director Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah did not have much to share.

“As I understand it from the president, Nasharuddin is on official duty for the party,” he said.

When pressed as to whether Nasharuddin has been banned from involvement in the by-election campaign, Wan Abdul Rahim only reiterated his statement.

Questioned about Nasharuddin's whereabouts, he said he does not know whether his party colleague is in the country or abroad.

pas muktamar 55 agm assembly 050609 hadi awang All appears forgiven on another front - posters and banners with Abdul Hadi’s photo are finally going up around the tiny constituency.

Up to yesterday, only Nik Aziz has been featured on PAS campaign paraphernalia - the influential party leader is seen as more marketable as he is much respected in Kelantan.

Campaigning continues

Both the PAS and Umno/BN candidates are continuing to cover as much ground as possible before campaigning draws to a close next Monday.

pas and bn candidate fauzi abdullah tuan aziz manek urai election nomination day 060709 BN candidate Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat (left in photo) visited Manek Urai Lama, while Mohd Fauzi Abdullah of PAS made the rounds of Kampung Budi and Manek Urai itself.

Tonight, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is to visit voters and deliver a talk at Manek Urai Lama.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng will be at Lata Rek.

Yesterday PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim dropped by for a ceramah along with Nik Aziz and Kelantan senior exco member Husam Musa.

Most of the party leaders from Pakatan Rakyat - including DAP deputy chairperson Dr Tan Seng Giaw - have made their presence felt since nomination day.

This is all the more reason why Nasharuddin's absence remains the talk of the town - for all the wrong reasons.