Three potential candidates are believed to have been shortlisted by PKR to contest in the upcoming by-election for the Bukit Selambau state seat in Kedah.

According to party sources, the three shortlisted candidates are Sungai Petani PKR division's Dr R Krishnamoorthy, the division's committee member S Sritharan and Merbok division committee member and Sungai Petani municipal councillor K Masilamani.

However, amongst the three potential candidates, Krishnamoorty is believed to have the best chances of being selected to contest for the seat .

Contacted by M alaysiakini today, Krishnamoorthy was unaware of his selection as a candidate. He however said that if he was indeed chosen, campaigning won't be a problem as he had many supporters.

"The people will accept me because I can be easily approached by the people," said the PKR Youth deputy chief.

bukit selambau by election pakatan rakyat dap pas pkr Krishnamoorthy also claimed to have been approached by various quarters, including two independent candidates, who informed him that they would pull out of the race should he (Krishnamoorthy) is selected as the PKR candidate.

"They are afraid that PKR and BN's selected candidate is inappropriate. That is why they decided to stand up and contest for the seat," he said, adding that no matter the candidate, "everyone must work hard to ensure PKR wins".

Krishnamoorthy, 49, has been in medical practice for the past 10 years and used to serve in a hospital in Bukit Selambau.

PKR's V Arumugam vacated the seat on Feb 9 when he resigned as an elected representative and Kedah executive councillor.

Meanwhile, the other potential candidate, Masilamani, refused to comment on the issue other than saying that he was leaving the selection of a candidate to the party leadership.

Masilamani, 40, is a businessman working for a Thai-based company and is married with three children. He joined PKR in 1998 and has held various party posts throughout his career in politics.

Sritharan, 45, who could not be reached for comments today, joined PKR in November 2007. He is married with two children.

A crowded race?

Earlier last month, DAP expressed interest in the seat and submitted several names to the Pakatan Rakyat leadership for consideration: Lunas branch chairperson S Neelamekan, deputy state chairperson V Gnanaguru and state organising secretary Teoh Teik Guan.

Businessman Tan Hock Huat, who is a former Gerakan member, announced his candidacy as an independent candidate early this week.

Polling for the state seat is scheduled to take place on April 7, with nominations on March 29.

It is believed that the Kedah Election Committee has so far issued 13 nomination forms: eight to Indians, three to Malays and one to a Chinese.

However, so far, only businessman P Chandrarajan has paid the deposit of RM5,000.