Home Minister Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, who is also the Umno secretary-general, admitted that he went to Kubang Pasu last week.

But contrary to former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's allegation , Radzi said he was there to check on his orchard which he had not visited for nearly four months.

On Monday, Mahathir claimed that Radzi was among those attempting to disrupt his chances in being chosen as a delegate to represent the Kubang Pasu Umno division at this November's Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur.

Radzi told mSTAR that the current political climate has made it difficult for him to 'escape' unnoticed to his orchard, which also houses a fish and duck pond.

The minister said when he was there last week, an acquaintance had invited him for dinner and since he is well-known figure in Kubang Pasu, news of his presence began to spread.

This, according to Radzi, led to numerous uninvited guests showing up for the dinner, including an Umno division leader who asked if Mahathir should be elected as a delegate in this Saturday's contest.

"Promise, in the name of Allah, I am not lying. This is what really happened," he was quoted as saying.

Returning to the dinner, Radzi said he merely listened to the guests' discussion regarding Mahathir's decision and refrained from making too many comments about it.

Therefore, the minister said he was rather surprised when Mahathir accused him of being one of the Umno leaders actively campaigning against the former premier in Kubang Pasu.

Mahathir claimed that Radzi was present in the Kedah town almost on a daily basis to tell Umno members there not to vote for the former party president.

"Back then, I used to go to Kubang Pasu often to check on my orchard as well as to see the fish and ducks but lately, I don't have the time. Last Friday, was the first time I went there in nearly four months.

"That is why I find it strange to be accused (by Mahathir) of being there almost daily," Radzi said.

Where will he sit?

However, the minister admitted that he disagreed with Mahathir's action to contest but said the final decision rest in the hands of the delegates to the division meet.

Radzi was also confident that the party leadership will not interfere in the election process.

"Of course, I will feel awkward if Mahathir is chosen. He is my former boss. I am worried about where to place him at the general assembly.

"For more than 20 years, he sat on the stage, but as a delegate, who knows where he will be placed as the delegates are seated according to the votes obtained. It wouldn't be proper if Mahathir was made to sit at the very end of the hall based on his votes," he said.

Another factor worrying Radzi, is the time allotted for delegates to speak at the general assembly.

He said if Mahathir is chosen as a delegate and given the opportunity to speak at the assembly, his speech will be limited to between 15 and 20 minutes.

"Mahathir is used to speaking as (the party) president. As a delegate, he will not be allowed to speak for long," he said, expressing concern over how he will handle the situation if Mahathir insisted on talking for as long as he wished.

When mSTAR asked Radzi on the relationship between Mahathir and his handpicked successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, he chose to sidestep the issue.

"Ask them (about it). I pray that these two eminent leaders will meet face to face and explain to each other about the matters in their hearts," he said.

Radzi said the best platform to settle the issue would be the Umno supreme council as the rules allow for a non-supreme council member to attend its meeting on specific situations.

Asked if this meant Mahathir would be invited to attend the supreme council meeting, the minister reiterated that the council would be the best avenue to resolve the dispute.