PKR today clarified the position of two independent candidates in the Bukit Selambau by-election, stating that the duo were no longer party members.

Party deputy president Syed Husin Ali said that both Md Radzi Md Lazim and A Jayagopal had already been sacked from the party.

The two independent candidates, said to have ties with PKR, have spurred talks that they were planted by the party to split the votes.

PKR's S Manikumar will be facing MIC's S Ganesan and 13 other independents on polling day on April 7.

pkr national congress 301108 syed husin ali Syed Husin said in a statement today that Md Radzi was once the head of the party's Baling division but was axed by the party last year.

"He was sacked from the party for bad-mouthing it and announcing he had left the party to the media," said Syed Husin.

Syed Husin added that although Md Radzi had tried to apply to rejoin PKR, his application was rejected.

And as for Jayagopal, Syed Husin said that he was a leader of Pokok Sena division until he was suspended about a year ago.

The suspension was due to a probe by the party disciplinary board probe on certain cases involving him.

"Now that he has stood against the official candidate of PKR, he will automatically cease to be a member of PKR," added Syed Husin.

Syed Husin said both independent candidates no longer have links with PKR.

Jayagopal confident of doing well

Meanwhile, Jayagopal when contacted claimed that several PKR leaders had tried to coax him to withdraw from contesting in the by-election.

He claimed that PKR leaders from Wilayah Persekutuan and Penang had met him three times to discuss the matter.

"The first was on Feb 28, and then on Tuesday and the last was at 5am today at Sungai Lalang," he said, revealing he had an early morning meeting with leaders from his former party.

bukit selambau nomination 290309 a jayagopal "The same people have also twice contacted me through telephone," he said, adding that no financial arrangements were discussed.

He also said that several other independent candidates were also being persuaded to pull out.

He was however adamant that he would contest in the by-election next Tuesday but stressed that he would not throw his support behind Barisan Nasional.

Jayagopal said that he had wide influence in Bukit Selambau and this could cause an upset on polling day.

"Only now they (PKR leaders) realise that I have influence among the voters here, especially among the Indians," he said.

He said that as of today, he had a 40 percent chance of winning and blamed his lack of funds for his lackluster campaign.

"Some of the cash pledges have not come through yet. I hope those who had pledged will come up with the money soon," he added.

Additional reporting by Muda Mohd Noor.