Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is believed to have submitted three names as possible candidates for the Kedah menteri besar post to the state regency council to replace incumbent Mukhriz Mahathir.

Najib had met with the council members at Istana Darul Aman in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

However, Berita Harian in a report today said the name of Bakar Bata assemblyperson Ahmad Basah Md Hanipah is not on the list.

Ahmad Bashah, who is also Kedah Umno deputy chief, had started the move to replace Mukhriz, who is the son of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Bakar Bata representative held a press conference to declare that the state Umno has lost confidence in Mukhriz.

According to Berita Harian , which quoted a source, the names on the list are Guar Chempedak assemblyperson Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail, Ayer Hangat assemblyperson Mohd Rawi Abdul Hamid and Bayu assemblyperson Azmi Che Husin.

Of the three, the report said Ku Abd Rahman has the potential to be the next mentri besar as he is the most senior exco member in the state.

Speculation has been rife that the move against Mukhriz is the result of his father's unrelenting campaign to oust Najib.

However, this has been denied.

Commenting on the issue recently, Mahathir said the group plotting against his son had caused Kedah to fall into the hands of the opposition during the 2008 general election.

Describing the group as not having a good reputation, he said their move to demand the removal of Mukhriz was "very political".