news analysis   With MCA deputy president Chua Soi Lek’s resignation and president Ong Tee Keat hinting that he will defend his post, a showdown between the two at the MCA March 28 polls seems inevitable.

ong ka chuan However there is another powerful force within the party, waiting to emerge. It is led by former secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan ( left ) and backed by Ka Chuan's younger brother - former president Ong Ka Ting.

Ka Chuan is currently the parliamentarian for Tanjung Malim.

He was appointed by Ka Ting as secretary-general before the 2008 party polls and contested for deputy president in the polls but was defeated by Chua in a three-corner fight.

Ever since the infighting between Chua and Ong erupted last August, Ka Chuan is said to have been waiting for the best time to make a comeback.

Special briefing

Ka Chuan has been actively stating his views on party affairs. He lambasted the Greater Unity Plan introduced by Tee Keat and Chua in last October and later attended the special briefing organised by vice-president Liow Tiong Lai where he gave a speech on the party's future.

With MCA fresh polls scheduled on Mac 28, it is now time for him to join the battle.

Ka Chuan could portray himself as an alternative choice to lead the party as both Chua and Tee Keat are facing credibility crises.

The sex DVD scandal two years ago is still the biggest liability to Chua in his bit to claim the throne. Meanwhile, Tee Keat breached his own promise to resign after a no-confidence vote was passed against him last October.

NONE Although Chua (right ) is expected to join forces with Liow, he may not accept Ka Ting's proteges in Liow's faction because Ka Ting was alleged to be the hand behind the sex DVD that led to Chua's downfall in early 2008.

These leaders including Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Wee Jeck Seng, Deputy Higher Education Minister Hou Kok Chung and MCA central committee member Wong Nai Chee.

Ka Chuan is expected to absorb them into his team. With the support of his brother who still maintains some influence in the party, he could form a formidable force.

Marriage of convenience

However, instead of going for the top post, Ka Chuan has a better chance if he teams up with either Tee Keat or Chua to vie for number two.

As Chua is said to command most of the heavyweight leaders including all four vice-presidents - Liow, Ng Yen Yen, Kong Cho Ha and Tan Kok Hong - and holds a grudge against Ka Ting, Ka Chuan's team most probably would join hands with Tee Keat.

Although Tee Keat has been keeping a distance from the Ong brothers since he was elected, his team severely lacks of credible candidates.

This gives him no choice but to form an alliance with Ka Chuan.